A former Tynan, Aghavilly and Middletown rector has been appointed as a new Deputy Lieutenant of County Tyrone.
The newly appointed Deputy Lieutenant, Rev Canon Matthew Hagan MBE was rector of Tynan, Aghavilly and Middletown Group of parishes for 12 years until his appointment in 2022 as Rector of Brackaville (Coalisland), Donaghendry and Ballyclog (Stewartstown) Group of parishes.
The fundamental principle concerning the office of Lord-Lieutenant – Sir Robert Scott KCVO OBE – is that they are His Majesty’s representative in their county, and consequently it is their first and foremost duty to uphold the dignity of the Crown.
In this role Lord-Lieutenants have wide discretion in how they carry out the tasks expected of them and those they choose to undertake.
In general, Lord-Lieutenants will be following the example of The King and other members of the Royal Family if they seek to promote a good atmosphere and a spirit of co-operation by the encouragement they give to voluntary service, and to benevolent organisations, and by the interest they take in the business, industrial and social life of their counties.
The Deputy Lieutenants are the “eyes and ears” of the Lieutenancy and are appointed from a wide range of backgrounds, geographically spread throughout the county.
On January 15, it was announced that His Majesty King Charles III has given his approval for Sir Robert Scott KCVO OBE – as The Lord Lieutenant of Co Tyrone – to appoint The Revd Canon Matthew Hagan MBE as a Deputy Lieutenant of Co Tyrone.
This appointment to the office of Deputy Lieutenant, carries the post nominal ‘DL’ and is in recognition of service to the community.
This voluntary position will see Canon Hagan working alongside the other Deputy Lieutenants in assisting His Majesty’s Lord-Lieutenant in carrying out his role in Co Tyrone as the King’s Personal Representative in the County.
Canon Hagan is also a Chaplain at Evora Hospice Care Newry, a position he has held for over 16 years.
He also received his MBE for Services to Hospice Healthcare and the Community in Northern Ireland, having personally raised thousands of pounds for Evora Hospice over the years.
