The late Brian Kelly Mr. Brian Kelly, who died at Portiuncula Hospital, Ballinasloe following a long illness, was a founder member of the Psychiatric Nurses' Association of Ireland Union and a former vice-chairman of Roscommon County Council. Born in Ballygortagh, Creagh, Ballinasloe, sixty-nine years ago Brian followed his father, the late Brian, into politics at an early age. And for twelve years the younger Brian was the Fianna Fail representative for South Roscommon on Roscommon County Council, being first elected in 1967 and being honoured as vice-chairman a few years later. Brian Kelly worked as a psychiatric nurse in St. Brigid's Hospital in Ballinasloe for most of his adult life, retiring in 1997. He fought tirelessly for improvements in the hospital services and for better conditions for his fellow workers and was the main instigator in establishing a dew union for nurses when he, with some colleagues, founded the Psychiatric Nurses' Association of Ireland (PNAI). It rapidly spread to many psychiatric hospitals in the country. But Brian Kelly, who loved in Thomastown, will also be remembered for his sporting achievements. He won his first All-Ireland medal in 1954, being a member of the victorious Galway Vocational Schools Football team; a year later he won a Co. Galway Minor hurling medal with Ballinalsoe and in 1965 he won an All-Ireland Junior Hurling medal with his beloved Roscommon. Brian went on to win eight Connacht Junior Hurling Championship medals with Roscommon and was manager of the 1974 Roscommon All-Ireland Junior Hurling victorious side. A true sportsman on and off the field, Brian always had the interests of the under-age at heart. He set up a hurling club in Creagh and later helped to establish the popular Padraig Pearse's GAA Club in South Roscommon. There he enjoyed widespread popularity serving a number of officership, including chairman. Brian's other great love was golf. Again, he was instrumental in setting up the Padraig Pearse's Golfing Society and was a loyal member of the Ballinasloe Golf Club. Prior to his illness, he featured regularly in the Seniors outings and as a mark of respect an outing of the Padraig Pearse's Golfing Society was cancelled. Despite his long illness and failing health Brian, or Bunty as he was more popularly known, bore his cross with great dignity. He was a diligent family man, a great Christian and dealt with the family bereavements that came his way in a gracious manner. He was predeceased by his sister, Vera O'Grady and by his younger brother, Gerry in London. There were large numbers at the Removal of his remains to St Michael's Church and the funeral to Creagh Cemetery. Guards of honours followed the cortege on both days, comprising members of Padraig Pearse's GAA Club and Golfing Society as well as members of the PNAI and Fianna Fail. Very Rev. Fr. John Garvey, Adm., was the Chief Celebrant of the Concelebrated Mass, and was joined on the altar by Very Rev Fr Raymond Miton PP Drum and Fr John Killeen, Taughmaconnell. Brian (Bunty) Kelly is survived by his wife, Gabrielle; son Damian; daughters Sylvia and Linda; brother Tommy (Galway), sisters Siveen (Boston) and Kitty (Malahide); sons-in-law John and Declan; grandchildren Rachael, Cathal and Keilan, as well as many other relatives and friends. Courtesy of The Connacht Tribune 03 November 2006 The late Brian Kelly The death took place at Portiuncula Hospital, Ballinasloe of Mr Brian Kelly, Thomastown, Athlone, who was a Fianna Fail member of Roscommon County Council in the South Roscommon electoral area from 1967 to 1979. A native of Creagh, he was a psychiatric nurse by profession and was associated with the political, business and sporting life of his residential catchment for many years. He was a founder member of the Psychiatric Nurses Association and had the distinction of serving as its national chairperson for a period. He was a lover of all sport, especially hurling and won an All-Ireland junior hurling medal in Roscommon in the decades past. He was also an official of the county hurling board for many years an involved with the Padraig Pearses hurling club where he trained a number of teams. He was also a noted hurling referee. He ran a grocery shop alongside his wife, Gabrielle, at Thomastown for many years and was respected for his basic decency, affability and genuine nature. He was a devoted husband and father and, throughout his life, he performed many neighbourly deeds and kind acts. He is survived by his wife, Gabrielle; son, Damien; daughters, Sylvia and Linda; sons-in-law, John and Declan; three grandchildren, sisters, one brother, nieces, nephews and innumerable other relatives. Following concelebrated Mass at St Michael's Church, Ballinasloe the burial took place in Creagh Cemetery. Courtesy of The Roscommon Herald 31 November 2006 Tweet

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