TRIBUTES PAID TO TRAGIC WALKERS
Two men killed in Mourne Mountain falls are named
Robbie Robinson Sean Byrne TRIBUTES were paid yesterday to two men who fell to their deaths in the Mournes at the weekend.
Sean Byrne, from Camlough, Co Armagh, and Robbie Robinson, from Banbridge, Co Down, died in separate incidents.
The first fatal incident happened on a crag on the Wee Binnian hill shortly before 12pm. The second occurred on crags on the Slieve Commedagh mountain just before 1pm.
Another man was injured in a third incident in an area known as the Saddle at around 2.30pm. He sustained a broken ankle.
Mr Robinson was a former superintendent in the PSNI.
Retired Stormont Assembly member chief Members of Mourne Mountain Rescue Team at weekend and former Police Federation chairman Jimmy Spratt tweeted: “Shocked and saddened to hear of the tragic death of Robbie Robinson in the Mourne Mountains yesterday. His family are in my thoughts and prayers, as is the family of the other accident.”
The Police Federation for Northern Ireland tweeted it “extends heartfelt sympathy to the family of Robbie Robinson who died at the weekend. Chief Supt Robinson was a very professional RUC/PSNI Officer.
“His loss will be keenly felt not only by loved ones but also by those who served with him throughout his distinguished career.”
Mr Byrne had a lifelong passion for Gaelic games and was a trustee and former treasurer of his local hurling club Craobh Rua Camlocha. In a statement, the club said his death had “devastated us all”.
It added: “He had a great love for our club and he showed this over the years by the giving freely of his time and experience to help us develop and become rooted within our community.
“He possessed great gifts of commitment, integrity, calmness and care. He loved his family, his community, Gaelic sport and culture.
“No words we can say will lessen the shock and pain of his family as they struggle to come to terms with this news. However, we will be there for them just as Sean had been here for us over the past 30 years.
“We convey our deepest sympathies
STATEMENT YESTERDAY
PSNI helicopter flies over Co Down mountains
to the families of both those killed whilst climbing yesterday in the Mourne Mountains.”
Mourne Mountain Rescue Team’s Neville Watson said the fact there were two deaths on the same day was “extraordinary”.
He cautioned against blaming the weather, adding it was a “gusty, windy day, but that’s fairly common in the Mournes”.
Mr Watson added: “Our thoughts are with the families concerned.
“There’s not many positives at the end of all this, but if there is any satisfaction it is that we played our part in performing a very important service.”
Sean possessed great gifts of integrity, calmness and care CRAOBH RUA CAMLOCHA