Rory Smith from Slane, Co. Meath was out riding his motorbike in the Easter Poker Run yesterday afternoon when he was tragically killed in an accident.
In the last number of weeks, Rory told friends that he had recently become engaged to be married.
The Poker Run was an event where motorbike enthusiasts met up and completed a circuit with various checkpoints along the way.
It started outside the Boyne Valley Inn pub in Slane yesterday at midday.
Each motorbike rider paid €10 to take part and all monies raised would go to the (Save Our Sons And Daughters) SOSAD charity.
Tragically at around 1:40pm, Rory’s motorbike was involved in an accident with a truck on the R157 Maynooth to Dunboyne Rd in Co. Meath.
Tributes poured in to Rory’s Facebook page. People who knew the larger than life man, said he wasn’t just a big man but a big man with a big heart.
One said:
“Rory, you were a gentle giant with an even bigger heart. RIP”
While another person wrote:
“Devastating news, Rory Smith, you have always been a wonderful, kind person. Only spoke with you and as always we just laughed our asses off. My God, life is so cruel and you, my friend, are gonna be so missed”
Gardaí have appealed for witnesses to contact Ashbourne Garda station on (01) 801 0600 the Garda Confidential Line 1800 666 111 or any garda station.