Popular young man dies after road acident

Nineteen year old, Jack Duffy, of Dunfane Park, died after he was struck by a car on the Castledawson Road in Magherafelt in the early hours of Sunday morning.

Jack attended Ballymena Primary and Ballymena Academy and was currently studying Engineering at the Northern Regional College.

He is survived by his parents, Kevin and Tracey, sister Katie and loving girlfriend Jemma Jameson.

Jack worked at the Spar on the Frys road, where owner Eamon McKillop said he was popular with staff and customers alike.

Eamon said: “We were all deeply saddened to hear this news, it came as a deep shock to everyone.

“He was a very popular member of staff and a great worker. Jack was a very conscientious worker and he went out of his way to help customers.

“He worked here for the last four years, since he was 16 and we had all got to know him very well.

“The staff’s thoughts and prayers go towards the family and his girlfriend Jemma, at this difficult time. We are all thinking about Jack and our prayers are with him.”

SDLP Councillor Declan O’Loan expressed his sympathy to the family, he said: “I want to express my sympathy to the family of Jack Duffy. Every parent knows of the anxiety of a late night phone call or knock to bring bad news about one of their children. In the case of the Duffy family, this has become a tragic reality.

“They can be assured of my sympathy in their grief, and I know that I am speaking for the whole community who will want to give whatever support they can at this time.”