The world of Irish cycling was in mourning after the news that Ireland team member Paul Healion was killed in a road accident on Sunday night.

Healion was scheduled to race in the Tour of Ireland, which starts later this week, won the Irish National Criterium Championship earlier this year.

The 31-year-old died when the car he was driving crashed near Ardee, County Louth at 10.30 p.m. local time. No other vehicles were involved in the accident.

Healion had been named on the Irish team to contest the Tour of Ireland, which takes place from August 21-23, and was due to race against the likes of Lance Armstrong and Mark Cavendish.