THE Isaac Agnew Group in Portadown have paid tribute to the Gilford-based motorcycle rider who was killed at Saturday's Kells road race meeting.
Stephen Larkin (27) crashed during a practice session for the 401-750cc Support race at the County Meath venue. He was taken to Beaumont Hospital in Dublin, where he died as a result of his injuries.
The father-of-three was on course to gain the q
ualification of master technician within the Isaac Agnew Group's Portadown-based Audi centre.
"The title of master technician is the highest available within the Audi group and Stephen was in the process of sitting his final examinations towards achieving that honour," said a spokesman for the Isaac Agnew Group. "Stephen had been a member of the Isaac Agnew Group family for the past six years and was one of the first to move to our Portadown Audi centre in July 2006.
"He was considered one of the more specialised technicians and a highly-valued member of the Audi team.
"Stephen displayed tremendous passion for his work, a fact reflected in the level of skill attained at just 27 years old.
"He spent a lot of time training in England and was extremely devoted to his examinations.
"However, Stephen was also known within the team as very much a family man.
"He was also delighted following that first win of his racing career earlier this year at the Bush meeting.
"Stephen will be missed not just for his high level of expertise but also his warm personality and devoted nature.
condolences
"Our condolences go out to the entire Larkin family circle during this difficult period."
Stephen's funeral was held this week in Gilford's Church of St John the Evangelist, with the burial in Laurencetown at St Patrick and St Colman's Cemetery.
He is survived by wife Catherine, children Aaron, Megan and Callum, father Gerald, mother Bernadette, brother Michael, sister Martina and extended family circle.
The Larkin family requested privacy during this "very painful and sad time" but issued a statement via the Kells Club over the weekend calling for the programme to continue as scheduled as "it is what Stephen would have wanted".
"It was at the request of the family that the races should go ahead on Sunday," said Aileen Ferguson, secretary of the Kells Motorcycle Racing Club. "Stephen's wife Catherine, his father Gerald and brother Michael said that this is what Stephen would have wanted, as he loved racing.
"The family asked me to pass on their good wishes to all competitors and they hope that the racing goes well.
"We in the Kells Club would like to express our sympathies to all the Larkin family and to all of Stephen's many friends."
