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| Dunlop knew sport would kill him | |
| (about 4 hours later) | |
| The family of leading biker Robert Dunlop says Northern Ireland's top road racing event should go ahead in spite of his death. | The family of leading biker Robert Dunlop says Northern Ireland's top road racing event should go ahead in spite of his death. |
| Dunlop, 47, was killed in a high-speed crash during a practice lap for the North West 200 on Thursday. | Dunlop, 47, was killed in a high-speed crash during a practice lap for the North West 200 on Thursday. |
| His wife Louise said the rider believed the sport would eventually kill him but he was prepared to accept the risk. | |
| His funeral will take place on Sunday 18 May at 1600 BST in Garryduff Presbyterian Church near Ballymoney. | His funeral will take place on Sunday 18 May at 1600 BST in Garryduff Presbyterian Church near Ballymoney. |
| He will be buried afterwards in the adjoining cemetery where his brother, Joey, was buried in 2000. | He will be buried afterwards in the adjoining cemetery where his brother, Joey, was buried in 2000. |
| The service will be conducted by the minister of Garryduff, Rev John Gilkinson along with Motor Cycle Union of Ireland chaplain Rev John Kirkpatrick. | The service will be conducted by the minister of Garryduff, Rev John Gilkinson along with Motor Cycle Union of Ireland chaplain Rev John Kirkpatrick. |
| They are the same ministers who conducted Joey's funeral. | They are the same ministers who conducted Joey's funeral. |
| The organisers of the NW200 said they would proceed with Saturday's races in tribute to the Ballymoney man. A minute's silence will be held before the first race. | The organisers of the NW200 said they would proceed with Saturday's races in tribute to the Ballymoney man. A minute's silence will be held before the first race. |
| Three books of condolence have been opened for Mr Dunlop in his home town. Tributes to the dead motor biker have poured in. | Three books of condolence have been opened for Mr Dunlop in his home town. Tributes to the dead motor biker have poured in. |
| The father-of-three came off his bike in the 250cc qualifying session near Portrush. | The father-of-three came off his bike in the 250cc qualifying session near Portrush. |
| It is thought the riders had been travelling at speeds of about 160mph as they approached the Mathers Cross section of the course. | It is thought the riders had been travelling at speeds of about 160mph as they approached the Mathers Cross section of the course. |
| Local people from Ballymoney pay tribute to the late motorcyclist. | Local people from Ballymoney pay tribute to the late motorcyclist. |
| Dunlop's bike appeared to seize and he went over the handlebars. He died later in hospital. | Dunlop's bike appeared to seize and he went over the handlebars. He died later in hospital. |
| His sons, Michael and William, had also been taking part in the North West 200. | His sons, Michael and William, had also been taking part in the North West 200. |
| Dunlop's widow Louise told the Belfast Telegraph: "I love horses and I was at the Balmoral Show along with Robert yesterday, but he couldn't wait to get away to race at the North West 200. | Dunlop's widow Louise told the Belfast Telegraph: "I love horses and I was at the Balmoral Show along with Robert yesterday, but he couldn't wait to get away to race at the North West 200. |
| Clerk of the Course at the North West 200 Mervyn Whyte said they had taken the decision to proceed after speaking to Louise. | Clerk of the Course at the North West 200 Mervyn Whyte said they had taken the decision to proceed after speaking to Louise. |
| "Robert was a wonderful ambassador for the North West 200 and for Northern Ireland and we believe he would have wished the event to go ahead," he said. | "Robert was a wonderful ambassador for the North West 200 and for Northern Ireland and we believe he would have wished the event to go ahead," he said. |
| "Robert will be remembered with great fondness by all who knew him. His presence, sense of humour, enthusiasm and love for life will be sorely missed. " | "Robert will be remembered with great fondness by all who knew him. His presence, sense of humour, enthusiasm and love for life will be sorely missed. " |
| He said that the accident appeared to have been caused by machine failure. | He said that the accident appeared to have been caused by machine failure. |
| Another Northern Ireland rider, Darren Burns, suffered a suspected broken leg and concussion in the same accident. He is said to be stable in hospital. | Another Northern Ireland rider, Darren Burns, suffered a suspected broken leg and concussion in the same accident. He is said to be stable in hospital. |
| Dunlop made his debut on the Northern Ireland roads as a teenager in 1979 and went on to claim his first major win in the Isle of Man in 1983 when he won the Newcomers 350cc race at the Manx Grand Prix. | Dunlop made his debut on the Northern Ireland roads as a teenager in 1979 and went on to claim his first major win in the Isle of Man in 1983 when he won the Newcomers 350cc race at the Manx Grand Prix. |
| In pictures | In pictures |
| The remainder of the 1980s saw him becoming a regular winner on the Northern Ireland road racing scene. | The remainder of the 1980s saw him becoming a regular winner on the Northern Ireland road racing scene. |
| 1989 proved a hugely successful year, which included his first Isle of Man TT win. | 1989 proved a hugely successful year, which included his first Isle of Man TT win. |
| Dunlop had been riding a specially adapted bike after returning to racing following an horrific crash at the Isle of Man TT in 1994. | Dunlop had been riding a specially adapted bike after returning to racing following an horrific crash at the Isle of Man TT in 1994. |
| His last major international road race win came when he won the 125cc event at the North West 200 in 2006. | His last major international road race win came when he won the 125cc event at the North West 200 in 2006. |
| Ian Paisley junior of the DUP went to the hospital to offer support to Dunlop's wife and family after the crash. | Ian Paisley junior of the DUP went to the hospital to offer support to Dunlop's wife and family after the crash. |
| He revealed how he had a warm conversation with his friend before Dunlop's death. | He revealed how he had a warm conversation with his friend before Dunlop's death. |
| "I put my arm around him and told him to look after himself and I teased him and told him to behave," said the North Antrim MLA. | "I put my arm around him and told him to look after himself and I teased him and told him to behave," said the North Antrim MLA. |
| "I am glad the departing words I had with him were ones of friendship and of fun." | "I am glad the departing words I had with him were ones of friendship and of fun." |
| Liam Beckett, Dunlop's long-time mechanic and a close friend, said: "I don't know of a more caring and devoted father - he just lived for his family. | Liam Beckett, Dunlop's long-time mechanic and a close friend, said: "I don't know of a more caring and devoted father - he just lived for his family. |
| "They are a unique and resilient family, and to be honest they were in pieces last night." | "They are a unique and resilient family, and to be honest they were in pieces last night." |
| HAVE YOUR SAY Send your tributes after Robert Dunlop's death | HAVE YOUR SAY Send your tributes after Robert Dunlop's death |
| First Minister Ian Paisley and Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness said they were deeply saddened by the death. | First Minister Ian Paisley and Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness said they were deeply saddened by the death. |
| Northern Ireland Sports Minister Edwin Poots said: "Robert was a much loved respected and talented member of the motorsport community and will be missed by all." | Northern Ireland Sports Minister Edwin Poots said: "Robert was a much loved respected and talented member of the motorsport community and will be missed by all." |
| The Motorcycling Union of Ireland and PSNI are investigating the incident. | The Motorcycling Union of Ireland and PSNI are investigating the incident. |
| Dunlop is also survived by his wife Louise and other son Daniel. | Dunlop is also survived by his wife Louise and other son Daniel. |
| • A number of North West 200 events including live music, fireworks and an air display have been cancelled as a mark of respect, Coleraine Borough Council has announced. | • A number of North West 200 events including live music, fireworks and an air display have been cancelled as a mark of respect, Coleraine Borough Council has announced. |