A Laois GAA club has paid tribute to a Laois dad and son who died tragically in Turkey earlier this week.
Mechanic Eoin Fitzpatrick, 36, and his son Dylan, 10, from Portlaoise, were on holiday in the coastal resort of Alanya in Turkey.
Turkish media reported that the dad and son collided with a bus which was travelling from Alanya to Mersin on the D-400 highway in the Kargicak District.
Emergency services rushed to the scene, but the pair were later pronounced dead.
They were on holiday with Eoin’s older son Cian, 15, as well as his partner and her son who are from Mountmellick.
Taking to Facebook, Eoin’s club Portlaoise paid tribute to their former player and his son.
They said: “It is with huge shock and sadness that we learnt of the tragic passing of Eoin Fitzpatrick and his beloved son Dylan on Monday evening.
“Eoin was a very talented hurler with our club and won numerous championships at underage level, as well as representing his county.
“He was a citeog, the free taker, a deadly scorer from frees and from play.
“He was an extremely popular figure and made friends very easily. He will be missed terribly by all who knew him.
“GAA wasn’t Dylan’s area of interest. As his mum Claire said Dylan’s interests were things like drawing, swimming and golf and he was the sweetest and kindest boy you could imagine.
“Eoin and Claire’s eldest son Cian was also on holidays with Eoin and Dylan. Cian is a talented player at U-15 level with our club. Our heart goes out to Cian.
“Our thoughts and prayers at this unimaginable time are with the Fitzpatrick family, and also Dylan’s mam Claire and the Dowling family.
“Our thoughts are also with Eoin’s partner Suzanne who was on holidays with Eoin and the kids when this tragedy happened.
“Both families have huge club and town connections. Eoin’s parents Frank and Rita are club stalwarts and Dylan’s uncle Andrew Dowling is a current player and has excelled at hurling and football.
“May Eoin and Dylan Rest in Eternal Peace.”
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