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Tributes to man killed in tragic farming accident over weekend

A man killed in a tragic farming accident in Dromore over the weekend has been named locally as Lee Gilliland.

Mr Gilliland, who was in his 50’s, was working on the farm on Saturday when he fell through a roof.

He was air lifted to the Royal Victoria Hospital in Belfast but pronounced dead a short time later.

A funeral notice for Mr Gilliland, late of Greenogue Road, described him as the dearly loved and devoted partner of Shirley, devoted father of Zoe and Samuel, and cherished son of William and Eileen and dear brother of Graeme, Colin and Lynne.

A funeral will take place from his late home, 67 Greenogue Road, Dromore, Co. Down on Thursday September 15, at 11.30am for Service in First Dromore Presbyterian Church at 1pm followed by committal in Dromore New Cemetery.

Family Flowers only please.

Donations if desired for The Northern Ireland Air Ambulance C/O Robert J. Bready, Funeral Director, 22 Newry Road, Rathfriland, BT34 5AL. (Cheques made payable to Robert Bready)

Paying tribute, Upper Bann MP Carla Lockhart, said: “This is devastating news and my heartfelt, deepest sympathy is with the Gilliland family on this sudden and unexpected loss.

“This is a widely respected family in the local area. The farming community is close knit, and I know the pain of losing Lee will be felt by all who knew him.

“The Gilliland family will continue to be in the prayers of many in the coming days and I hope and pray they will know God’s comfort at this time of sorrow.”

DUP Councillor Mark Baxter, speaking to Armagh I over the weekend, said the community have been left stunned by the tragedy.

“Lee was a quiet, unassuming man – everyone liked him,” Councillor Baxter said of the victim.

“He came from a well-respected family in the area and this news will reverberate around the rural community here.

“This is an awful tragedy and my thoughts are with his family at this time.

“This community will undoubtedly rally behind them in the days, weeks and months ahead as they come to terms with this awful loss.”

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