A Newry businessman has been laid to rest after a tragic accident on the Fathom Line in the city last week. Pat McArdle, proprietor of Snaubs restaurant and Nan Rice’s Bar in the city centre passed away last Wednesday after his car left the road and plunged into Newry’s Canal. His funeral held at the weekend was a very private affair as his devastated family came to terms with the terrible loss. Although police have yet to determine just what occurred during the sequence of event the tragedy has highlighted fears about road safety on the Fathom Line. Mayor Charlie Casey said he was “shocked and saddened” at Mr McArdle’s death and offered sympathy to the family on behalf of all in the district. Newry and Armagh MLA Dominic Bradley echoed those sentiments and condolences to the McArdle family. “The stretch of road on which the accident happened is extremely treacherous and this road has sadly claimed other lives in the past,” MrBradley said. “There is clearly a need to draw greater attention to the danger which this stretch of road presents to motorists and that is something I will be raising with Roads Service.” Five years ago a toddler from Belfast was left fighting for his life after his family car plunged into the canal on the same stretch of road and after the latest incident his mother Geraldine Rice has reissued her fears of safety on the road to the media. A Spokesperson for the Department for Regional Development said Roads Service has no immediate plans to erect barriers on the Fathom Line but would await the outcome of the PSNI investigation.
Newry Reporter
1st February 2012
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