Actor Pat Laffan, known for roles in Father Ted and The Snapper, has died

Pat Laffan, an actor best known for his roles in The Snapper and Father Ted, has died.

He passed away today, his agent confirmed. "It is with tremendous sadness that we here at the Lisa Richards Agency can confirm Pat Laffan's passing," a statement from the agency read. "While Pat is perhaps still best remembered by Irish screen audiences for his portrayal of Mr Burgess in Roddy Doyle's film The Snapper  (1993) and as Pat Mustard the notorious milk man in Father Ted  (Channel 4, 1998), he had almost 40 film credits and 30 television credits to his name." Laffan was born and reared in Meath and began his acting career in the 1960s. He was a member of the Abbey Theatre Company in the 1960s and 1970s, and Director of the Peacock Theatre for such of of the 1970s. He directed in the Gate Theatre from 1979 to 1982. More recently he had roles in Ripper Street and Moone Boy as well as films Leap Year, Intermission and War Horse. Father Ted creator Graham Lineman paid tribute to Laffan on Twitter this evening. "Just heard the sad news that Pat Laffan who played Pat Mustard in Father Ted has died. Rest in peace, Pat, a pleasure to work with you."