Funeral to be held inin Glenarm of manstruck at Main Street cashpoint

The service will be held at St. Patrick’s Church of Ireland conducted by Rev. Helen MacArthur, before burial at Glenarm New Cemetery.

Mr. Diaczyszyn who lived in a cottage in the grounds of Glenarm Castle was said to have had a “great affinity” with the Glens of Antrim.

Coast Road Councillor Maureen Morrow said that the village was in shock to learn of 63-year-old Mr. Diaczyszyn’s death last Thursday.

She went on to say that Michael was “very helpful to everyone and liked to be involved”, in particular with the Community Focus committee.

“If there was anything on in the village, he was always very supportive. He was such a nice person, a pleasure to know and a pleasure to work with.”

His daughter Lucy said that her dad had loved gardening and had wanted to become involved with the village’s bloom committee.

The family has asked for any donations in lieu of flowers to be forwarded for the bloom committee and indicated that they hope to provide a bench for the village in his memory.

Lucy explained that her dad had come to Northern Ireland from England to help with his grandchildren and had decided to stay after meeting his partner Mandi.

“He was the most awesome father you could wish for. He was just the best grandfather ever. We have a lot to be thankful for.”

Police are appealing for witnesses following the collision in Larne town centre, last Wednesday morning, shortly before 8.25 am.

A PSNI spokesperson said that a blue coloured Vauxhall Vivaro van parked on the street is believed to have rolled back and struck him.

Mr. Diaczysyn was taken to hospital for treatment for a suspected fracture to his leg but sadly passed away in hospital, the following morning.

A post mortem has been carried out to determine the cause of his death. Police are appealing to anyone who witnessed the van or the collision to contact local officers in Larne or the Collision Investigation Unit on 101 quoting reference number 189 of 22/02/17.