One man has been arrested in connection with a weekend hit-and-run incident in which a young County Tyrone man was killed.

Jonathan Heagney (26) died after being struck by a car as he walked along the Carrickmacross Road in Co Cavan during the early hours of Saturday morning.

Mr Heagney, who was from Carrickmore in Co Tyrone, had married his long-term girlfriend, Elaine Duggan, just four months earlier and the couple had recently moved to Galbally.

He has been described by his family as a “dream son” who never gave a day's bother.

Gardai confirmed last night that a man was being questioned by officers investigating the accident.

Mr Heagney's heartbroken wife, Elaine, was too upset to talk but her father Patrick, who owns a caravan sales business near Dungannon, said that she had been left devastated by the tragedy.

“Obviously she is devastated. This has come as a total shock and it has been terribly upsetting for her. We are trying to cope as best we can.”

Mr Duggan said that friends and relatives had been helping his family come to terms with the unfolding tragedy.

“I just don't know what to say, everyone is just devastated, but we've had a lot of help from our family and neighbours and we appreciate that,” he added.

“Everyone has done as much as they can for us and we're very grateful for that.”

Gardai would not comment on reports that Mr Heagney had been thrown over a bridge following the collision.

A post-mortem was carried out at Navan hospital on Sunday.

Mr Heagney was originally from Carrickmore although the couple had recently moved to Aughnagar in Galbally. He worked as a plasterer and competed in pony and trap racing, and attended the Dean Maguirc college in Carrickmore where staff described a “hard-working, quiet lad” who was well-respected by staff and students. His sister, Janine, has travelled home from New York where she had been working for the last three years.

Extending her sympathies to the Heagney family, Carrickmore councillor Anne Marie Fitzgerald said it was a tragic death. “It is especially sad because he only got married a few months ago,” she said. “Obviously everyone’s thoughts and condolences are with his family and particularly his wife, who must be heartbroken.”

Gardai have said Mr Heagney was hit by a car some time between 2am and 2pm on Saturday and have appealed for anyone with information to contact them.