Northern Ireland motorcycle racer William Dunlop, 32, has been killed in an incident at the Skerries 100 road races in County Dublin on Saturday.

William was taking part in an Open race practice session on his Yamaha R1 when he crashed at the Sam’s Tunnel section of the 2.9-mile circuit on the third lap.

Red flags were immediately displayed to halt the session and medics and Gardai attended the scene.

William was a member of the renowned Dunlop family and a six-time podium finisher at the Isle of Man TT, and a race-winner at both the North West 200 and Ulster Grand Prix.

William Dunlop was a road racing favorite, with many pegging the 2018 season as possibly his last before retiring.

William’s father Robert died as a result of an accident at the North West 200 in 2008, while his uncle Joey was killed in a crash in Estonia in 2000.

Joey holds the record for the most Isle of Man TT wins with 26, while William’s brother Michael has registered 18 wins at the event over the Mountain Course.

William has also competed regularly on the Isle of Man but sat out this year’s races after coming home during practice week to be with his pregnant partner Janine.

A statement released by the Loughshinny Club, the organisers of the Skerries 100, said that they “deeply regretted that William Dunlop has passed away following injuries received in a tragic accident that occurred during practice which took place today, 7 July 2018”.

Highly regarded and well-respected in the road racing community, his absence is now surely being felt by all. We wish the best to William’s family, friends, and fans. He will be missed.