Tributes paid to inspirational Cork teacher and 'champion of inclusion' Diarmuid Hickey

'His dedication and commitment to our school never wavered, even in the face of an intractable life limiting illness, and he remained centrally involved right up to this week.'

Diarmuid Hickey pictured in January with his daughters Ciara and Ella and his wife Bàirbre, when Coachford College students and staff took part in the 'Cause You Can event in aid of Irish Motor Neurone Disease Association (IMNDA). Picture: Jim Coughlan.

A teacher whose courage and dignity following his diagnosis with motor neurone disease (MND) inspired his community has died.

Diarmuid Hickey, 56, a renowned physics teacher and the deputy principal of Coachford Community College in Cork, died on Saturday just weeks after he inspired his school to raise over €51,000 for the Irish Motor Neurone Disease Association.