Tributes following sudden death of teacher

Mr Barry Geraghty, a teacher at Lismore School, passed away on Tuesday after a sudden illness.

His grieving wife Fiona said on her Facebook page: “My heart is absolutely broken, no words to describe the fear and heart ache in my life right now. Its just not fair.”

Earlier this week she had issued a heartfelt plea to the community to remember Barry in their prayers after he was struck down by a sudden illness and was in intensive care.

SDLP Upper Bann MLA Dolores Kelly expressed her condolences to the family and described Mr Geraghty as a ‘beloved teacher’ from Aghagallon.

The Upper Bann MLA said: “I was deeply saddened to hear of the illness and sudden passing of Barry Geraghty. I want to send my most sincere sympathy to his wife Fiona, his four children and all of his loved ones.

“Barry was a long standing teacher at Lismore School, where he was respected and beloved by students and staff.

“This will be an incredibly difficult time for Barry’s family and his loved ones. I hope the warm words of the many people sending condolences will be some comfort to them and I will keep the family in my prayers.”

Lismore School paid tribute to their colleague on social media: “We deeply regret the tragic and untimely passing of our friend and teaching colleague Mr Barry Geraghty.

“As a subject teacher and senior leader, Barry embodied the ethos of Lismore and was greatly admired and respected by all who knew him.

“We wish to offer our most sincere sympathy to his wife Fiona, his daughter our Year 8 student Chloe, his sons Jamie, Conor and Niall and the extended Geraghty and Campbell families.

“May his gentle soul rest in peace.”

St John the Baptist’s College also paid tribute: “It is with the greatest sadness that we have learned of the passing of our dear friend and colleague Barry Geraghty. We would like to extend our sincere condolences to his family.

“We are also thinking of the Lismore school community on the loss of a talented and very popular teacher who will be greatly missed by all.”

St Ronan’s College in Lurgan also expressed “our sincere sympathy to our collaborative partners in Lismore Comprehensive School on the loss of their teacher, friend and colleague Mr Barry Geraghty and we extend our heartfelt condolences to the Geraghty family at this difficult time”.

The school added: “Mr Geraghty worked diligently alongside staff in St Ronan’s College to ensure a broad and effective curriculum offer was available to all the young people of both schools. He will be deeply missed.

“May he rest in peace. St Ronan, pray for him.”