GOVERNMENT House has announced the death of His Honour Deemster Kerruish QC.

He died following a long illness at the age of 61.

The Lieutenant Governor Vice Admiral Sir Paul Haddacks said: "I am greatly saddened by the death of His Honour Deemster Kerruish.

"I very much valued his wise counsel and his friendship. His Honour was a true Manxman and he will be a great loss to the Isle of Man. Lady Haddacks and I extend our deepest sympathy to Marianne (his wife) and his family."

Deemster John Michael Kerruish QC was educated at Douglas High School for Boys and the University of London,and served in the Royal Air Force before embarking on a distinguished legal career.

He was appointed HM Attorney General for the Isle of Man in October 1993 and held this post until January 1998 when he became Second Deemster.

From 2003 until his death, he served as First Deemster and Clerk of the Rolls, presiding as Chief Judge of the Island’s High Court of Justice.