Local man and amputee looks to smash truck pull record
Shane McLaughlin lost his left leg in a farm-related accident in 2001.
A Clones man, who had his left leg amputated below the knee and now walks with a spring-loaded prosthetic, will try to shatter his own Guinness World Record at the Cavan Crystal Hotel this Saturday, October 26, at 5pm.
Shane McLaughlin (53) claimed the World Record for the heaviest vehicle pulled (LA2) in Dublin back in May, when he managed to tug a 18,000kg lorry with special belts attached to his waist and shoulders from the front of the cab.
Mere months later (August 24), he bettered those achievements hauling a 20-tonne lorry a total of 25 metres at Dunfermline’s Knockhill Racing Circuit in Scotland.
Shane's next attempt will be to pull an incredible 25 tonne truck.
He hopes to inspire other amputees around the world to push themselves and also has ambitions to get truck pulling added to Los Angeles Paralympics Games 2028 roster.
A former lorry driver himself, Shane is looking for fellow Monaghan native and Minister for Sport, Catherine Martin, to further his cause.
Shane lost his left leg in a farm-related accident in 2001.
The Clones man underwent a total of 78 operations over the years, until he got “fed up” with the vicious cycle and continuous pain, and opted to undergo amputation at Dublin’s St James’ in 2012.
“I want to spread awareness, for other amputees around the world. This all started for me pulling one lorry for the craic, then one lorry led to three, and that led to 10. Anything is possible, that's my feeling."
Shane, who travels to many of these events with his nine-year-old daughter Jessica, says: “I want to make her proud. I'm doing this to show her that anything is possible.”
Jessica is a massive part of Shane's continued motivation, and the doting dad adds: “I get a lot of strength from her.”
He is all too aware of the mammoth task he faces in at the end of this week.
The step up in weight is more than anything Shane's pulled before.
Kiernan's piggery from Kilnaleck are providing the truck that Shane will pull.
“I'm currently training on a truck that's 27 tonnes, two tonnes heavier than what I am expecting to pull on Saturday. When you're on a pull, you can’t stop. You have to keep going. That's just it.”
He thanks the staff at the Cavan Crystal for hosting the event, and everyone who has supported him to date in all his endeavours.
“It's been a long journey. I won't say it’s been an easy road. There have been a few bumps along the way. But I'm going strong.”