Funeral of hit-and-run victim takes place
The funeral of a local dad-of-two who died following a suspected hit-and-run incident in South Armagh at the weekend is taking place.
Michael 'Cooks' Kirk will be laid to rest after funeral mass at the Church of Mary Mother of Mercy, in Inniskeen.
Police in Northern Ireland earlier this week began questioning a 35-year-old man in connection with a suspected hit-and-run that is believed led to Mr Kirk's tragic death.
Mr Kirk, a native of Inniskeen in Co Monaghan, had been living in Shercock area of Co Cavan up until recently.
He was found dead lying on a rural country road with head injuries in the early hours Sunday last, August 24.
A past pupil of Inver College, and an employee at Manor Farm in Shercock, his body was discovered by police shortly after 5am on the Blaney Road, around three kilometres outside the village of Crossmaglen.
Emergency services attended the scene but Mr Kirk (41) was pronounced dead at the scene.
After news of Mr Kirk's death filtered out, there was a flood of heartfelt tributes on social media to a “decent funny lad” and “sound fella” who will be sorely missed not just by family but a large circle of friends.
On Monday afternoon, August 25, investigating officers stated that a 35-year-old man is now being questioned in connection with Mr Kirk's untimely death.
PSNI Detective Inspector Michael Winters, who is leading the investigation, and expressed his condolences to the Mr Kirk's family at this difficult time, informed that the man presented himself to police on Sunday evening. He was subsequently arrested on suspicion of a number of offences, and remains in custody at time of going to print.
Det Insp Winters further stated that police are now focused on tracing the movements of Mr Kirk on the night of Saturday, August 22 into the early hours of Sunday, August 23. “Did you see him in the town of Crossmaglen or walking along the Blaney Road?
“I would also like to trace the movements of a blue Audi 6.
“Did you see this vehicle at any time on Saturday, 22 or Sunday, 23 August, do you have any dashcam footage that could assist us with our inquiries?”
The Anglo-Celt can confirm that members of An Garda Siochana are also assisting the PSNI with their inquiries into Mr Kirk's death.
Mr Kirk is survived by his young sons Jamie and Nathan, parents Angela and late Paddy, sister Susan, brothers Gerry, Paddy, Peter and predeceased by Ciaran and Martin, sisters in law, brother in law, aunts, uncles, cousins, extended family and many friends.