By Rosetta Donnelly

A MAN has been charged in connection with the hit and run accident which claimed the life of a Galbally man Jonathan Heagney.

Appearing before Cavan district court this week in relation with a hit-and-run collision in Co Cavan was 21-year-old Kelvan Blaney of Kilmainham Wood, Co Meath. He was charged over the fatal crash that happened on Saturday.

Mr Heagney (26) died after being struck by a car as he walked along the Carrickmacross Road in Co Cavan during the early hours of Saturday morning.

Mr Heagney, who was from Carrickmore, had married his long-term girlfriend, Elaine Duggan, just four months earlier and the couple had recently moved to Galbally.

He has been described by his Mum and Dad, Pauline and Ciaran as "dream son" who never gave a day's bother.

Mr Heagney's heartbroken wife, Elaine, was too upset to talk but her father Patrick, who owns a caravan sales business near Dungannon, said that she had been left devastated by the tragedy.

"Obviously she is devastated. This has come as a total shock and it has been terribly upsetting for her. We are trying to cope as best we can."

"We were very pleased when Elaine married Johnathan and when they built their home so close to our family home.

Mr Duggan said the family was so grateful to everyone who helped since first learning of Johnathan's death.

"Our neighbours and friends have been so supportive and I know that the Heagney family in Carrickmore have experienced the same type of help.

"Also, the staff who work at Cabra Castle Hotel were a great support to us over the weekend period and the Gardaí, in particular Garda Peter O'Sullivan," said Mr Duggan.

Paul Duggan, aged 19, brother-in-law of Johnathan spoke of the emptiness he felt on hearing the news – an emptiness which has never left him since.

"Johnnie was a like a brother to me. I have known him this last eight or nine years and we were really close. I found him so easy to talk to and he always liked having the craic. He even grew a beard for the All Ireland final. Johnnie was a modest and caring person and he fitted in so well with the community of Altaglushan and Aughnagar.

"Just recently, he gave me advice about going to Australia. Johnnie and Elaine spent a year in Australia in 2004/2005.

"I have been planning to go to Australia myself and Johnnie gave me some contacts for work.

"Everyone who knew him will miss him so much.

"I had a terrible empty feeling when I first heard that he had died and this feeling has been with me ever since."

The deceased worked as a plasterer and competed in pony and trap racing, and attended the Dean Maguirc College in Carrickmore where staff described a "hard-working, quiet lad" who was well-respected by staff and students.

His sister, Janine, has travelled home from New York where she had been working for the last three years.

Gardai have said Mr Heagney was hit by a car some time between 2am and 2pm on Saturday and have appealed for anyone with information to contact them.

Sinn Fein assembly member Barry McElduff said the community was very shocked by Mr Heagney's death.

"He was a very popular man and came fom a highly respected family. I would like to convey my deepest sympathies to Jonathan's wife Elaine, his parents Ciaran and Pauline and sister Janine," said Mr McElduff.