Tributes as man (20) who died two days after being struck by car is named locally

Named locally as Aaron Cantwell, the young man died in Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital in Drogheda, Co. Louth on April 19th following the accident which occurred in the early hours of Sunday April 17th.

Aaron was a pedestrian walking on the R161 Trim Road near Balreask Cross when he was struck by a car at approximately 1.30am.

He was rushed to hospital where his condition had been described as serious.

The driver and sole occupant of the car was uninjured, Gardaí said.

His death notice reads: “Our beloved Aaron Cantwell, Avondale, Trim, Co. Meath, tragically passed away following a road traffic accident.”

“Always loved and remembered by his dad David, mum Naomi, brother Adam, extended family and many friends.”

“May his memory forever live on in the hearts of people he touched and the many lives he has saved.”

He will be reposing at Heffernans Funeral Home, High Street, Trim, C15 HDT1 on Friday evening (22nd April) from 5pm to 7pm.

His funeral will take place in Mount Jerome Crematorium, Harold's Cross, Dublin on Saturday at 2.30 pm.

A GoFundMe set up by a loved one, described Aaron as “loving and caring” to everyone around him.

“He was a dedicated Son, Brother and Friend and someone you could always talk to who loved to cheer everyone up.”

“We are so devastated to have him taken from us at just 20 years old,” it continued.

“It is difficult to express just how much he will be missed by his Mother, Father, Brother, Friends and everyone else who had the pleasure of knowing him. Our hearts are truly broken and words can’t express the loss we are all feeling with Aaron gone.”

Aaron worked as a lifeguard and swimming instructor at a leisure centre in Navan.

One tribute remembered him as a polite and happy person.

“Such devastating news to hear of the passing of Aaron. He was an amazing swim instructor, he had just moved my little girl to the next level in swimming, she loved Aaron. He will be sadly missed. He was always so polite and always had a smile on his face. RIP Aaron, sending lots of love to his family and work Colleagues.”

“My deepest sympathies to you Adam and your parents during this tragic loss of Aaron. My thoughts and prayers are with you at this difficult time. Rip Aaron,” read another.

A third tribute from the mother of a child he taught to swim said he was kind and gentle.

“Deepest sympathies to the Cantwell family on the passing of your lovely son and brother Aaron. Aaron taught our children swimming and they loved him. He was a wonderfully warm, kind and gentle teacher to them. May Aarons gentle soul rest in peace.”

Another message read: “Aaron was such a genuine kind person, he was taken too early from this earth. There is not a day he will not be thought of or missed. Aaron was the type of person that could make anyone smile, his goodness shone from within and there is not much people in this world you come across like that.”

The mourner continued: “I will miss the good times and all the laughs we had together. May you rest in peace Aaron. Sending your family so much love at this time.”