Tributes paid to victim of achill tragedy

TRIBUTES are being paid to actor and retired Anglican cleric Roger Grainger who drowned on Achill Island last night after unwittingly driving into a flash flood.

In a long career Mr. Grainger (82) featured in such television dramas as ‘Last of the Summer Wine’ and ‘Heartbeat’.

The Church of Ireland Bishop of Tuam, Patrick Rooke, said: 'How sad I was to hear of the sudden death of the Revd. Dr Roger Grainger in most tragic circumstances.

'Dr Grainger came to live in the West of Ireland just over a year ago and had entered fully into the life of the local community on Achill and in Westport where he also worshipped. His passing will be sorely felt by the small Church of Ireland community at St Thomas Church in Dugort.

'I should like to express my deepest sympathy to Roger’s family in England and to assure them of our thoughts and prayers at this time.

'Indeed, I have received a message today from Archbishop Michael Neary offering his sympathy to me, to the family and to the Church of Ireland people in my Diocese. For this we are most grateful.