Sunday Mirror (Northern Ireland)
PRIMARY PRINCIPAL KILLED BY TREE FALL
» Tributes to » High winds a ‘gentle soul’ hit Game of after tragedy Thrones spot
TRIBUTES have been paid to the first of Storm Arwen’s victims after Northern Ireland was battered by winds of up to 98mph.
Primary head teacher Francis Lagan, who died when a tree fell on his car, was hailed as a “gentle soul”.
The father-of-four, principal of St Mary’s in Maghera, Co Derry, was killed in Co Antrim.
His former school in South Derry called him a “giant in his prime”.
Sinn Fein MLA Declan Kearney said Mr Lagan was a “highly respected principal”.
He added: “I was shocked and very saddened to learn about the death of a motorist after a tree fell on his car while travelling along the Dublin Road in Antrim town on Friday evening.
“The victim of this tragedy, Francis Lagan, was a highly respected South Derry school principal, who made an immense contribution to the community which he served.
“Francis was a renowned Maghera educationalist and civic leader.
SYMPATHY
“My thoughts and sympathies are with his family, school colleagues and students, and the wider community of Maghera, where he was held in very great regard.”
Meanwhile, the Dark Hedges, an avenue of beech trees in Antrim made famous by Game Of Thrones, were another victim of Storm Arwen yesterday.
High winds brought two of the twisted boughs crashing down across the Bregagh Road, blocking it off yesterday morning.
UUP councillor Darryl Wilson said: “Unfortunately one of the centuries old Beech trees at the Bregagh Road (Dark Hedges) was a victim of last night’s weather. Lots of debris on most roads... Take care out there.”
In Britain, Storm Arwen brought severe gusts, causing road closures, train delays and power cuts.
In Orlock Head, Co Down, wind speeds reached 140kmh, while
Cumbria Police said a man from Lancaster died in Ambleside after a tree fell on him just before 11pm on Friday.
Meanwhile, the chilly temperatures felt in the rest of Ireland are set to get milder in coming days.
Today, the eastern half of the country will still be cold, with milder weather developing in the west bringing temperatures there up to nine or 10 degrees.
The mercury in the east is unlikely to rise above four degrees. A Met Eireann forecaster said: “After a dull and damp start to the day, it will brighten up, becoming, mostly dry with some sunny spells developing.
“Winds will start light southerly for most places, then fresh northwest winds in west Munster will extend northeastwards to all areas during the day.”
Temperatures are set to freeze overnight, turning milder for the start of the working week, before getting colder again from Wednesday with a possibility of snow.
Francis Lagan was a highly respected principal