FAMILY and friends of a father of three who died on the A40 last week have paid tribute to a 'loveable and handsome rogue'.

Gerry Conneely died in an accident near the Wolvercote roundabout on September 28.

In a statement, released late last night, friends said: "Gerry was funny, caring in his own way yet also a wily rascal and sometimes quite a pain in the backside.

"Although Gerry had difficulties with his English reading and writing he was fluent in his native Gaelic and very good with basic maths."

It continued: "Just like the good Samaritan, Gerry shared what he had with people in need and just like the good Samaritan when he died many people passed him by.

"Gerry would have liked to have something positive to come from his death and perhaps it will if we can learn to slow down sometimes and stop when the heart reminds us of another's need."

Mr Conneely, of no fixed abode, was born in Ireland where he spent the first 14 years of his life before coming to Britain.

The statement read: "Gerry married and had three wonderful children, Declan, Gerry and Shauna whom our thoughts are with as well as his dear mother, his brother Patsy, sister Barbara and the rest of the family."

Mr Conneely's brother Patsy included the following words from the poet John Dunne in his tribute: "No man is an island, entire of itself; every man is a piece of the continent, a part of the main; if a clod be washed away by the sea, Europe is the less, as well as if a promontory were, as well as if a manor of thine friend's or of thine own were; any man's death diminishes me, because I am involved in Mankind; and therefore never send to know for whom the bell tolls, it tolls for thee."

A man has been arrested on suspicion of failing to stop at the scene of a collision and careless driving and has been bailed to return on November 18.