Tributes paid to father of two who died in Cork motocross accident

Olivia Kelleher

Tributes have been paid to a father of two and business owner who died in an accident at a motocross practice day on the Vernon Mount Track in Cork city on Sunday.

Stephen McCarthy of Riverstick, Co Cork and formerly of Skibbereen was pronounced dead at the scene at 12.45pm on Sunday.

The motorcyclist has been remembered by the Munster Motorcycle club who say that they are “utterly heartbroken” at the loss of their long time club member and lifelong friend.

“Stevie Mac was 1 of a kind and had a heart of gold like we have never seen before. May he rest in peace.”

Mr McCarthy was the owner of Mac Plant and Civils Ltd. The company was established in 2017.

Castlehaven GAA in west Cork have also offered their condolences to the family of the deceased at this “difficult time.”

Mr McCarthy previously worked in the family business McCarthy Plant Hire in Skibbereen, which was set up by his grandfather Charlie McCarthy in the 1960’s. Earlier this year he told Building Ireland magazine that he had always been involved in business as it was “in the blood.”

Mac Plant and Civils Ltd is a very well known and respected firm. It was the main contractor on the Elizabeth Fort Outdoor Public Spaces Scheme in Cork. The project saw the historical 17th century fort transformed in to an outdoor arts and cultural venue.

Meanwhile, garda forensic collision investigators have examined the scene of the crash. A postmortem examination was also carried out at Cork University Hospital.

Mr McCarthy is survived by his wife Avril, their children Lilly and Bonnie, his mother Caroline, his five siblings, his extended family and friends.

He will lie in repose at Sullivan’s Funeral Home in Turner’s Cross on Tuesday from 5pm to 6pm with a requiem mass following on Wednsday at 2.20pm in St Joseph’s Church in Riverstick. Burial will follow at Cullen Cemetery, Cullen, Riverstick, Co Cork.