A LISNASKEA collision victim has been fondly remembered as "someone you could always depend on".

Mourners came together yesterday (Wednesday) at Holy Cross Church, Lisnaskea to remember Vincent O’Brien Smith (Vinny) who tragically died at the weekend.

Mr. Smith, aged in his 50s, died at the scene of a single-vehicle collision involving a Honda quad on the Moat Road, Lisnaskea, on Saturday morning.

A highly regarded member of the Fermanagh-based Mad Dogs Motorcycle Club, members and motorcyclists turned out en masse to pay their final respects. They had previously formed a guard of honour on Monday when Mr. Smith was laid in repose at the club’s headquarters.

Fr. Jimmy McPhillips described the late Lisnaskea man as "someone who was always there to help anyone in need".

"He (Mr. Smith) was a man of great stories, some even true!" said Fr. McPhillips.

"He was always colourful and so good to listen to. He was the one you could always depend on. He was always there to help anyone in need.

"He was also someone who always got stuck in himself, and anything he put his hand to, he did to the best of his ability. He never gave up."

The Parish Priest detailed Mr. Smith's wide-ranging interests, which included motorcycles, sport, and the great outdoors.

"He had a love of sport, including soccer, rugby, clay pigeon shooting and football, and hurling also seemed to be a great love," Fr. McPhillips said.

"He was a member of the local Emmets GAA club from an early age. He played at all grades, and had been a coach, manager and invaluable helper in maintaining the grounds.

"As a hurler, he won many titles, and represented the county as a senior hurler for many seasons. He also managed the senior hurling team in Lisnaskea.”

Fr. McPhillips continued: "The Mad Dogs Motorcycle Club was another great love. Vinny was the push behind it all.

“He helped raise £10,000 for the Aisling Centre after travelling a gruelling thousand miles in less than 20 hours. Imagine going around Ireland in less than 20 hours.

"A few short weeks ago, Vinny stood by a BBQ for hours without a break, cooking over 200 burgers to raise for the Bikers' Memorial in Clones. As usual, this was dismissed by him as 'no problem'."

And speaking on Mr. Smith’s love of the outdoors, Fr. McPhillips said: "It's important not to forget his love of farm, and dairy farming in particular. Vinny's day job earned his keep, but he loved being out on the land, and being around livestock.

"He was so knowledgeable about nature, and could tell you the exact name of any bird that flew past."

Fr. McPhillips added that Mr. Smith made great efforts to make and maintain friendships.

"He was a character who loved people and valued friendship,” Fr. McPhillips said.

“He looked after his friendships, he loved winding people up, and he was sociable. The large congregation here today is a testament to that.”

The Parish Priest added that he hoped Mr. Smith's Christian faith would provide comfort to his grieving family.

"This morning, we remind ourselves that as Christians we are citizens of another world. We are believers in life after death, and Vinny knew all of this.

"He had a traditional faith, he believed in all the traditional ways of living life in faith. He respected the church and held beliefs.

"I really do hope Vinny's family can find some comfort in these (Christian) beliefs, as you try and come to terms with tragic death.

"However, this doesn't take away the sting of death and absence that Vinny leaves as a father, husband, son and brother, who are going to miss him so greatly."