Tributes are pouring in for a "highly regarded" young Laois Garda and devoted father-of-two who died yesterday.
Adrian Kelly, who is originally from Killoscully in Tipperary but worked in Borris-in-Ossory Garda station, passed away peacefully at Milford Hospice in Limerick on May 3. He was hugely involved with his local GAA club in Ballaghmore where he both played hurling and served as a coach.
Following his death, people from the community in Laois and have been remembering him as a "kind and honest man in work and on the field".
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Adrian leaves behind his "loving" wife Maria, and two daughters Sarah and Emma, and was pre-deceased by his baby son David.
In a touching message on social media, the Laois Offaly branch of An Garda Síochána wrote: "It is with great sadness we learned of the death yesterday of Garda Adrian Kelly of Borris in Ossary Garda station.
"Adrian was a highly regarded friend and colleague and served the people of Rathdowney and Borris in Ossary with distinction, a very competitive sports man, a proud Ballinahinch and Tipperary man and devoted husband and father.
"He lived and worked within the community he served, and hurled with his local Kyle GAA Club. Our sympathies go out to his wife Maria, his daughters Sarah and Emma and all the Kelly family. May Adrian rest in peace, Ar dheis De go raibh a anam."
His death notice states that he will be reposing at his residence on Thursday evening from 4pm to 7pm.
His funeral mass will take place on Friday afternoon at 2pm in St. Moula's Church, Ballaghmore with his burial afterwards in the adjoining cemetery.
Meanwhile, other members of the community and those who knew Adrian paid their tributes to him on Rip.ie as they described him as a "true gentleman" with a "great sense of humour".
One person wrote: "My sincere condolences to Adrian’s family, friends & colleagues. I have only fond memories of Adrian in Templemore, he had a great sense of humour and a cheeky smile, a true gentleman gone way too soon. May he Rest In Peace."
Another said: "Our deepest sympathy to Maria Sarah Emma & all of Adrian’s family, Adrian was such a lovely gentleman and we are so lucky to have known him. We all have such lovely memories of you Adrian which we will hold dear for ever. Thinking of you all at this very sad & tough time x"
A third said: "Sincere Sympathies to Maria, Sarah, Emma and Adrian's Parents and the Extended Maher and Kelly family's on the sad passing of Adrian. A kind and honest man in work and on the field and a pleasure to have known him in both. Our thoughts and prayers at this sad time May he Rest in Peace."
Kyle GAA club also paid tribute to Adrian in a lengthy social media post saying they were "devastated" to hear of his passing and although he was ill over the last few years, he "battled all the way".
They wrote: "All in Kyle G.A.A are devastated at the passing of our beloved club member, our juvenile trainer, our team mate and most importantly our friend Adrian Kelly.
"Adrian came to us from Killoscully in Tipperary and enhanced the club with his natural hurling ability and his positive mindset & attitude.
"Devoted husband of Maria and wonderful father to Sarah & Emma, he brought a energy to the club which transcended to each member and was inspirational to all, especially the younger generation who looked up to him.
"Adrian became ill over the last few years but never gave up and battled all the way, just like his endeavours on the hurling pitch.
"He was captain of our league winning side in 2009 and also was part of our championship winning side in the same year; despite coming off injured in the final. He was also a progressive member of the club and served on the top table for a few years.
"He did return to Ballinahinch for a couple of years to hurl with his brothers Desmond, Thomas, Alan & Mark before returning to us again, always under the proud watchful eyes of parents Geraldine & Tommy.
"His last match was only last year in our championship semi final in Portlaoise. He was a hard working Garda who was well liked by all his colleagues.
"He also gave up his free time to help coach in our local Gaelscoil and would have been a very proud Daddy as Sarah only recently was part of a victorious Cumann na mBunscoil side.
We in Kyle G.A.A would like to extend our deepest sympathies to Maria, Sarah & Emma and his extended family. Rest in peace, mo chara!"
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