Paddy Flanagan: Funeral details released for 'a teaching legend who influenced the lives of so many children'
Tributes have been paid to ‘a teaching legend’ who lost his life in a hit-and-run incident in Dungiven last weekend.
Funeral details have been released for 69-year-old Patrick Flanagan from Prehen who died after he was knocked down by a car in the early hours of Sunday.
Mr Flanagan is survived by his wife Paula and daughter Sian, siblings and wider family circle.
A post on Funeral Times adds that his Requiem Mass will be held at 11am in The Church of the Immaculate Conception, Trench Road, Londonderry on Friday and he will be buried later in the City cemetery.
Police are still appealing for information about the collision on Foreglen Road in Dungiven which led to his death where police ‘believe that Patrick was struck by a vehicle in a hit and run road traffic collision’.
"We would like to hear from anyone who was in the area between 1am and 2am on Sunday morning and witnessed the collision, or captured dash-cam or other footage from the area, which could assist with our investigation,” says the PSNI appeal.
Meanwhile kind messages from former pupils he taught in St Columba’s Primary School in Newbuildings said:
- ‘Sad news , thinking on Mr Flanagan's family at this sad time. I still talk about him teaching me all these years later. He was 1 of those teachers that Def made an impact on you. Not many teachers like him about. He was firm but fair. R.i.p’
- ‘Thinking of his whole family. He was the best p.7 teacher! So many laughs and made our last year of primary school at st Columba's memorable! RIP to a true legend!’
- ‘Heartbreaking news , a teaching legend who influenced the lives of so many children and a friend to many, rest in peace Paddy condolences to your whole family’
- ‘Really sorry to hear this sad news. Paddy was a real gentleman and brilliant teacher. May he rest in peace’
- ‘Another legend gone..Fond memories of Paddy at St Columbas.He taught the six of us and we always had a good laugh and the occasional clip round the ear. He was one of a kind.Rest easy Paddy’
- ‘Such sad news. Condolences to his poor family. Paddy was one of a kind, I remember my P6 & P7 years more than any others. Paddy made learning very memorable! May he RIP’
Earlier PSNI Detective Inspector Gillian Connolly, from the Criminal Investigation Department said: “Police received a report at approximately 1.35am on Sunday morning that an injured man had been found in the Foreglen Road area.
“Officers attended, alongside colleagues from partner emergency services and the injured man was taken to hospital, where he sadly died from his injuries.
“We are continuing to investigate the circumstances of this incident and we believe at this time that Patrick was struck by a vehicle in a hit and run road traffic collision.
“We would like to hear from anyone who was in the area between 1am and 2am on Sunday morning and witnessed the collision, or captured dash-cam or other footage from the area, which could assist with our investigation.”