Tributes paid to Maynooth graduate who died in race

Tributes have been paid to a 23-year-old Maynooth University graduate who died during the SSE Airtricity Dublin half-marathon at the weekend. Tragic John McHugh, who would have turned 24 yesterday, suffered cardiac arrest near the finish line in Phoenix Park on Saturday.

Mr McHugh graduated from Maynooth University with a BSc Industrial and Product Design last year and was presented with the National University of Ireland, Maynooth 'Designer of the Year' award by president Dr. Philip Nolan.

Maynooth University's Student's Union led the tributes to Mr McHugh decribing him as a "kind, warm character that lit up a room and a man you would be proud to call your friend."