Tributes pour in after ‘sudden and unexpected’ death of esteemed Church of Ireland cleric - Revd Canon Mark Watson - as police remain at scene - post mortem to be carried out

News of his sudden passing comes as PSNI reveal they “are currently at the scene of the sudden death of a man in the Drumgoon Road area of Maguiresbridge this morning”.

A PSNI spokesman added that “a post mortem is due to take place to determine the cause of the death” and “there are no further details at this stage”.

However a short time later a post on Clogher Diocese Facebook page said: “The Bishop and clergy of the diocese of Clogher wish to record our deepest sympathy and sadness following the unexpected death of our esteemed colleague, Revd Canon Mark Watson, Rector of Maguiresbridge and Derrybrusk parishes.

“Our prayers and thoughts are foremost with his family and we particularly remember his wife, Rhona and sons, Peter and Samuel and the whole family circle at this time. “Canon Watson was a dedicated and faithful pastor and will be greatly missed by his parishioners.

“We ask everyone to remember Canon Watson’s family in their prayers as the family come to terms with his sudden and untimely death.”

Tributes online said: “What a shock. Sincere and heartfelt sympathy to his wife and sons. God grant them strength to cope with Marks passing!”.

Another said: “Sincere sympathy to the Watson Family, He was a wonderful man”, and another added: “Very sorry to hear this news. We were neighbours in Kilmore days. Praying for Rhona & Peter & Samuel”.

And other tributes said: “It was with a very saddened heart that I received the news that my dear friend and colleague Rev Canon Mark Watson dies in tragic circumstances this morning. He will be sadly missed by Rhona, Samuel, Peter and their family circle. The parishes of Maguiresbridge and Derrybrusk have lost a valued rector. Please keep them all in your prayers through this difficult time. May he rest in peace and rise in glory’.

Meanwhile kind words from Florencecourt Group of Parishes said: “It is with great sadness to share the news that Rev Mark Watson, Rector of Maguiresbridge and Derrybrusk, and formerly Rector of Florencecourt Group of Parishes, died in tragic circumstances this morning.

“Our thoughts and prayers are with Rhona, Samuel and Peter and the whole family circle at this time”.