Funeral details have been announced for “dearly beloved husband” Desmond Holmes and “devoted mother” Nora O’Hagan after three lives were lost on Northern Ireland’s roads in recent days.
Desmond Holmes (82) and his brother 75-year-old Samuel Holmes, both from the Ballymoney area, died after a collision on the Frosses Road, one of Northern Ireland’s most notorious roads.
Police said the collision, which happened shortly after 1pm on Friday, October 25, involved a car and a lorry.
The driver died at the scene, while his passenger passed away later in hospital.
Mrs O’Hagan passed away in hospital after a separate collision in Co Tyrone on October 16.
Read more
In a statement given to the BBC, the family described Desmond as a proud father, loving husband and devoted grandad.
They said Samuel was a much loved dad and grandad.
The family said: “We are truly grateful to the local community for its support, the emergency responders who did everything they could to save Des and Sam, and the PSNI for their care and compassion.”
North Antrim MP Jim Allister said that the latest deaths added “to the tragic toll on this road”.
Nora O’Hagan
Mr Allister said: “I wish to convey condolences on behalf of myself and the wider community to the families of the two elderly brothers who died.
“Once more great grief has been caused by deaths on this section of road adjacent to Ballymoney.”
He said that the accident happened at a T junction, and creates “a strong case to convert this Ballymena Road junction into a roundabout”.
Desmond’s funeral notice remembered him as a “dearly beloved husband”, “proud father” and “a much loved grandfather” who will be “lovingly remembered by his sorrowing family, beloved dog Coco and entire family circle.”
Desmond’s funeral service will take place on Thursday at 10am at Antrim and Newtownabbey Crematorium.
His grandson Liam will be running the Auckland Marathon in his memory.
Funeral details for Samuel have not yet been announced.
The news comes as Northern Ireland sees its worst year for road fatalities in recent times.
According to PSNI statistics, 53 people have now died on Northern Ireland’s roads so far this year.
At the same point in 2023, one of the worst years for road deaths in recent times, 51 people had died.
Nora O’Hagan (68), a mother-of-four died in hospital last week after being involved in a crash on the Woodlough Road near Dungannon.
Two other people were injured.
Mrs O’Hagan’s granddaughter is the partner of well-known Tyrone boxer Conrad Cummings, who led tributes for the “special lady” who was “one of a kind”.
He posted: “So, so many fond memories and laughs shared over the last 5-6 years, a gem (the best!!) to all of my girls. You will be sorely missed.”
Her funeral notice remembered her as a “loving wife”, “devoted mother” and “dear sister” who will be “sadly missed” by her family.
Requiem Mass for Mrs O’Hagan will take place at 11:30am on Tuesday, October 29, at the Church of the Most Holy Trinity, Cookstown.