Tributes paid to Aughnacloy road victim Shane (Rocky) Rafferty

Emergency services were called to the Co Tyrone single-vehicle crash shortly before 8.30pm on Saturday night.

Police later revealed a man in his 40s died following the crash – and appealed for witnesses to contact them.

On social media Sinn Fein MLA for Fermanagh and South Tyrone, Michelle Gildernew posted: “Another heartbroken family in Tyrone today, devastated to hear of the tragic death of Shane (Rocky) Rafferty. Deepest condolences to the Rafferty and Meenagh families at this sad time.”

Another Facebook user posted: “RIP Shane Rafferty. Prayers for Gillian the boys. And everyone who loved you.” Also paying tribute to Mr Rafferty another person posted: “Shane was an absolute gent. RIP to the family. The world is poorer without him!”

Earlier former DUP councillor for Dungannon, Sammy Brush, expressed his condolences to the family of the man killed in the crash – and appealed for upcoming roadworks on the A5 to “tackle the area where this accident happened first”. Mr Brush said the spot where Mr Rafferty was killed “is where at least five people I knew have been killed in the past in car accidents”.

“I am sure many more lost their lives there, but I knew five people who were killed at the same spot on the Tullyvar Road. “That stretch of road between the border and Aughnacloy has awful traffic and is atrocious to drive through. Every time I travel that road I can see potential accidents.” He added that it was “terrible that someone probably coming home from work can end up like this”. “It is a tragedy and nobody wants that bad news coming home to them. But the amount of traffic coming through Aughnacloy main street is ridiculous. The town can’t cope with it.”