Jason McKay: Tributes paid to Co Antrim dad-of-five after death in generator incident

Jason McKay
-Credit:DJM Robinson & Son


Tributes have been paid to a newlywed and dad-of-five who died over the weekend in an incident involving a portable generator. Jason McKay has been named locally as the man who died suddenly at his home in the Craigahulliar area of Portrush on Sunday, January 26.

It is understood Mr McKay's death is being linked to possible fumes from a generator used during Storm Éowyn, with emergency services attending the scene on Sunday morning.

In his death notice from DJM Robinson & Son funeral directors, he was described as the "dearly loved husband of Serena, much loved dad of Faith, Lori, Ava, Lilyahna and David, very dear son of Ian and Joan, stepson of Karen and Stephen, loving brother of Morgan, Lucas, Max, Miley, Ethan, Amber and the late Emma, dear grandson of Nora, Isobel, Ivan and the late William, step grandson of Ronnie and a dear son-in-law, brother-in-law, uncle and nephew.

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TUV vice chairman, Councillor Allister Kyle, paid tribute to Jason, a childhood friend of his. Cllr Kyle said: "I’m absolutely devastated to hear the news of the tragic passing of Jason McKay. I knew Jason well.

"A dedicated member of Dunseverick LOL 528, I was pleased to see him elected and installed as their Deputy Master. Jason and I were about the same age and went through some of our degrees together in the Orange.

"Jason got married last year and he lived just a few doors up from our family farm in Craigahulliar. A quiet, unassuming fella, Jason was a hard worker who was very family focused.

"Jason was well known in the farming community and when he wasn’t helping his father’s building firm enjoyed working to a local agricultural contractor. He will be sorely missed by many not least his parents, wife Serena, their young family and wider family circle. My thoughts and prayers are with Jason’s family, colleagues and friends."

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Posting a tribute to Jason on social media, a spokesperson for Giants Causeway Protestant Boys Flute Band said: "Giants Causeway Protestant Boys Flute Band would like to offer our sincere condolences to our former Bandmaster Ian McKay on the sudden passing of his son Jason, also to our flag girl Miley on the passing of her brother and to the wider family circle. Rest Easy Jason."

Cllr Darryl Wilson added: "A very sad day, passing on our condolences from the Ballymoney community to all impacted by this awful tragedy."

Sharing Jason's funeral notice, one person said: "Heartbreaking. Jason you were such a kind soul and worked so hard and gave us all such a laugh… you will be missed by so many!" Another added: "A heart of pure gold. Rest easy my good friend."

In a statement issued on Sunday, a spokesperson for the PSNI confirmed: "Police attended a report of the sudden death of a man in the Craigahullier area of Portrush on Sunday 26th January.

"Enquiries are continuing but at this stage, the death is not being treated as suspicious. The Health and Safety Executive NI have been informed."

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In a statement, the Health and Safety Executive NI said: “As it is an incident relating to a member of the public in domestic premises, HSENI is not involved in the incident. We have however produced some safety information on our website for people using portable generators.”

Jason's funeral service will take place on Friday, January 31, at 2.30pm in Dunseverick Parish Church, with burial afterwards in the adjoining churchyard.

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