Storm Arwen: Tributes after Francis Lagan killed by falling tree

Francis Lagan died as he was travelling through Antrim on Friday

Tributes have been paid to a school principal who was killed when a tree fell on his car during Storm Arwen.

Francis Lagan, the head of St Mary's Primary School in Maghera, was described as a "giant in his prime".

He was travelling along the Dublin Road in Antrim town with his wife and two of their children when the accident happened on Friday afternoon.

Mr Lagan's death was confirmed by St Mary's Primary School vice-principal Martina Bradley later that day.

Francis Lagan (right) had attended the opening of a new sports pitch at his school this month

"It is with great pain and sadness this evening that I have to inform you of the untimely death of our much loved principal Mr Lagan," she said in a statement on the school's website.

"May his gentle soul rest in peace."

St Patrick's College in Maghera, where Mr Lagan had been a pupil in the 1990s, also paid tribute to him on social media.

"Education in south Derry has lost a giant in his prime," the school said.

Mr Lagan's Gaelic Athletic Association (GAA) club Watty Graham's Glen described him as a "great club man, coach... a fantastic son, brother, husband and daddy".

Club chairman Barry Slowey told BBC News NI he was "a gregarious character, a wonderful person, he filled the room".

"He brought a vitality to what he did," he added.

"A very determined person who was never going to let anything stand in his way.

"He recently developed his 4G pitch, a playing surface that has now become a massive asset to the community, a wonderful asset to the school."

Stormont Education Minister Michelle McIlveen said Mr Lagan was a "dedicated and passionate principal".

"I was privileged to visit his wonderful school, St Mary's Primary School in Glenview," said the Democratic Unionist Party politician.

• TrafficWatchNI - details of road closures

• Latest Northern Ireland weather forecast

Declan Kearney, a junior minister and Sinn Féin politician, said the head teacher had "made an immense contribution to the community which he served".

SDLP politician Patsy McGlone, who represents the constituency in which the school is situated, said Mr Lagan's death would have a "wide ripple effect right around the town of Maghera".

Two other people have died after Storm Arwen brought high winds, rain and snow to parts of the UK.

In Cumbria a man died after he was hit by a falling tree and in Aberdeenshire a man died when a tree hit his pick-up truck.