The son of former Fianna Fáil MEP Mark Killilea lost his life today when his car collided with a fence in north Galway.
Mark Killilea (29) is believed to have been killed instantly in the single vehicle incident at Lissyconnor, on the R362 road between Dunmore and Glanamaddy, Co Galway.
Gardaí said that the incident occurred sometime before 6.20am, when it was discovered by a passing motorist who reported it. The car had left the road and collided with fencing.
Emergency services were alerted and Mr Killilea was taken by ambulance to Roscommon general hospital. He was pronounced dead shortly after admission.
Gardaí closed the section of road for technical examination today, and appealed for any witnesses to come forward.
Mr Killilea, who was single, was a carpenter. He was one of eight children - four sons and four daughters - in the
family of former MEP Mark Killilea and his wife Anne.
It is understood that he worked in Glenmaddy.
His father, Tuam-based former Fianna Fáil MEP, TD and senator Mark Killilea, has been a leading figure in politics in east Galway and Connacht.
He served as Minister of State at the former Department of Post and Telegraphs from 1979. He was nominated to take succeed former Fianna Fail MEP and former finance minister Ray MacSharry in Europe in 1987 and retained his seat at the European Parliament.
He retired from politics ten years ago, but has been a close friend of Taoiseach Brian Cowen and has spent time with Mr Cowen during holidays in the west.
The Killilea family was being comforted at their home in Belclare, Tuam, Co Galway today, and Mark junior was described by local Fianna Fáil councillor Tom Reilly as a "mighty, mighty young man".
