Funeral arrangements have been announced for Barry Conroy, principal of St Oliver Plunkett’s Primary School in Beragh, who died suddenly at the age of 49. A Requiem Mass will take place at the Church of the Immaculate Conception in Beragh on Monday at 11am, followed by burial.

Mr Conroy had taught at the school for more than 20 years and became principal in 2022. He oversaw the recent expansion of the school and its integration with community activities. Outside the classroom, he served as a Minister of the Word in the local parish and was a former player and current coach with the Beragh Red Knights GAA club, where he had also held the role of secretary.

Oonagh Donnelly, chair of the school’s Board of Governors, described Mr Conroy as a respected and dedicated leader. She noted his 27 years of service as teacher and principal, during which he consistently embodied the school’s ethos of “Caring, Sharing and Learning.” She said his work left a lasting influence on pupils and the wider community.

The Education Authority’s Critical Incident Response Team and the Council for Catholic Maintained Schools (CCMS) have been on site to support pupils and staff.

He is survived by his wife Fiona, their daughters Aoibhé and Cliodhna and son Tomás, as well as his parents John and Christine, and siblings Justin and Julie.