Tributes have been made to a "gentleman" school principal who was tragically killed after a falling tree struck his car.
Father of four Francis Lagan was the headteacher of St Mary's Primary School Glenview, in Maghera, Co Derry, for a number of years and was well known and respected in the community.
He died after a tree uprooted and struck the vehicle he had been driving on the Dublin Road, Antrim, on Friday, November 26.
It is understood he was travelling with his wife and four children at the time.
Tributes have been made since the passing of the much loved principal who has been described as a "true gentleman" and devoted husband and father to his wife Louise and children, Rose, Alice, Beth and Frank.
St Patrick's College, Maghera, where Francis was a former pupil, said: "The entire College family is shocked to hear of the sad passing of Francis Lagan, brother of our Head of Mathematics Mrs M. Devlin.
" Francis was a valued past pupil and Principal of our feeder Primary St. Mary's, Glenview. He is pictured as part of the 1996 Forrester's Cup winning team. He will be sadly missed by the entire community.
"Education in South Derry has lost a giant in his prime. Condolences to his wife Louise, Mrs M. Devlin and the entire Lagan family. St Patrick, pray for him."
Watty Graham CLG, said the entire community were saddened by his loss saying: "A great club man, coach, principal, colleague, mentor, friend but more importantly a fantastic son, brother, husband and daddy.
"We as a club and community will stand strong with the Lagan family in the days, weeks and months ahead.
"Rest in peace Francis."
St Mary's Primary School, Draperstown said: "It’s with extreme sadness that we learned of the sudden & tragic death of our friend & former colleague, Francis Lagan. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family at this tragic time. May God grant him eternal rest & give his family strength to cope with this devastating loss."
Little Rainbows Early Years preschool in Maghera said: "It is with great sadness that we have learned of the passing of our previous chairman Francis Lagan. A gentleman, mentor and friend who was always there with a helping hand and listening ear. Our deepest sympathies to our committee member, his wife Louise, children Rose, Alice, Beth, Frank and the wider Lagan family. R.I.P francis."
Children's author Yvonne Flemming had recently visited the Maghera Primary School on invitation from Francis and paid tribute to him on social media.
She said: "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."
