Deputy Pat the Cope Gallagher has expressed his deepest sympathies on the tragic death of Cllr Manus Kelly, who lost his life today.
Rally driver and businessman Mr Kelly (41) was recently elected as a Fianna Fáil councillor in Letterkenny and was a multiple winner of the Donegal International Rally.
He passed away following a fatal accident at the Donegal International Rally in Fanad this Sunday afternoon.
“Today, a dark cloud descended over County Donegal and indeed over Clones this afternoon where Donegal were playing Cavan, when the sad news broke of Manus Kellys tragic and untimely passing,” Pat the Cope has said.
In his tribute, Fianna Fáil TD Pat the Cope Gallagher honours Mr Kelly’s professionalism, personality and achievements and expresses his deepest sympathies to Mr Kelly’s family:
“I have known Manus for some years and I particularly got to know him extremely well during the recent Local Election campaign.
“He was a consummate professional in all that he turned his hand to be that in Business, or Sports and more recently Politics – since his election to Donegal Co Co just 4 weeks ago. Manus provided through his business employment for many people , and he always advocated the strength of local business and enterprise.
“He was a very likable and homely person, with an enormous personality that radiated from him where ever he was. Manus had a great natural way of interacting with people.
“He was a most caring husband to his wife Bernie and their 5 children. No words of mine can articulate the massive loss they feel, but the support of the entire county, his motor rally colleagues, his political colleagues, and his hundreds of friends will give you the strength to sustain you as a family in the days ahead.
“Recently elected to Donegal Co Council following a very successful and energetic campaign- those that worked closely with him during that campaign are feeling the loss of a close friend.
“Manus was just entering into what was going to be long and successful career in politics, he had all the attributes of a fine and caring public representative. He was so looking forward to repaying the confidence which the electorate placed in him by working hard on their behalf over the next five years.
“I wish to express my deepest sympathies to his wife, Bernie and their five children, his own family, his parents Donal & Jacquline, his brothers and sisters and the wider family network – to the many many friends which were close to Manus throughout his career and life.
“Manus leaves this world far too prematurely, called from us with a sudden cruelness that is impossible for us as humans to understand, but his life was well lived, and he spent his time always trying to help others as best he could. His life ends at the peak of his career and when a new dawn was breaking which would see him serve the people of Letterkenny LEA.”
Tags: