Mr Francis Lagan who was tragically killed when a tree struck his car in Antrim.
Tributes have been paid tonight to a school principal, Francis Lagan, who tragically lost his life when a tree fell on his car on the Dublin Road in Antrim this afternoon, Friday 26 November.
Mr Lagan, a father of four, is understood to have been travelling with his wife and children when strong winds from Storm Arwen uprooted a tree that struck the vehicle.
The principal of St Mary’s Primary School Glenview, Maghera, was widely known and much respected, and many have described him as a gentleman.
Photo: McAuley Multimedia
Maghera mum, turned children’s author and publisher, Yvonne Fleming, paid tribute to Mr Lagan saying she was heartbroken by news of his passing:
“I am devastated and heart broken to hear the tragic news of Francis Lagan's passing.
“When he was principal of St Mary's Primary School Gortnaghey he invited me in 3 times to read my books, each time I had a very welcoming experience and found him to be a real gentleman with a very kind demeanor.
“Just this week I visited him in his new school at St Mary's Primary School Glenview and received that same warm welcome. He was an outstanding principal and it is a devastating loss for the school and the community.
“My deepest sympathies go out to his wife, children and family. They will all be in my thoughts and prayers at this very sad time.”
A spokesperson for St Mary’s Primary School in Draperstown, Mr Lagan’s former school where he was employed, commented:
“It is with extreme sadness that we learned of the sudden and tragic death of our friend and former colleague, Francis Lagan. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family at this tragic time. May God grant him eternal rest and give his family strength to cope with this devastating loss.”