Man who died in Forkhill Road accident named locally as Gary 'Cookie' McLoughlin

​Mr McLoughlin, who was known as ‘Cookie’, was in his 40s. A PSNI spokesperson said that officers received a report of a collision involving a male pedestrian and a Nissan car at around 10.40pm on Saturday night.

Tributes have been paid to Mr McLoughlin.

Ashgrove Rovers said they were “devastated” to hear about the passing of their former player.

"Cookie was with us for six seasons over two spells and helped the club win its first trophy with him opening the scoring in the cup final.

"He definitely will go down as a club legend as you always knew when he was around you were guaranteed a laugh and good time.

“We would like to pass on our condolences to his entire family circle at this heartbreaking time.”

Irish League side Dungannon Swifts also expressed their sympathies as Mr McLoughlin had helped to coach the club’s U16s.

“As a club we would like to pass on our condolences to the McLoughlin family after the sudden passing of Gary,” the club said.

"Gary helped out with our U16 team last season and everyone at the club would like to offer their prayers and support at this time to the wider family circle.”

Linfield Football Club said they were “saddened to hear of the sudden passing of Gary McLoughlin, father of Linfield U18s player and scholarship student Matty McLoughlin.

"We pass our sincere condolences to Matty and his family at this very sad time.”

Sadly, Mr McLoughlin was one of five people to lose their lives on the roads in the Newry and Armagh area over the weekend. Marina Crilly, Phil Mitchell, Emma Mallon and Keith Morrison were all killed in an accident in Armagh in the early hours of Sunday morning.

The Road Ahead Support Group, who provide support to anyone affected by a road crash, said they were “heartbroken for all who knew and loved” those who died at the weekend.

They said: “The people of Ballymacnab, Middletown, Tynan, Markethill and Newry, in fact throughout Northern Ireland have been stunned over the weekend following the sudden, horrendous loss of such beautiful young lives.

"This really is a stark reminder of how fragile life can be, how dangerous our roads can be and how in a spilt second our lives can be shattered.”