Tributes paid on death of Eamon Kelly

Tributes were paid in the Dβil yesterday to the actor and storyteller, the late Eamon Kelly.

The Tβnaiste, Ms Harney, who extended the Government's sympathies to his wife, Mrs Maura Kelly and his family, described him as an "outstanding Irishman who entertained us all".

The Fine Gael leader, Mr Michael Noonan, extending his party's sympathies, said the high point of Mr Kelly's career was when he was nominated for a Tony award after appearing in the staring role in Philadelphia Here I Come on Broadway.

Labour's deputy leader, Mr Brendan Howlin, said Mr Kelly was "quintessentially Irish" and "he embodied everything that was good about traditional Irish life".

Mr Kelly's removal will take place today at 5.15 p.m., from his home to St Brendan's Church, Coolock, Dublin. Requiem Mass will take place at 10 a.m. tomorrow, with burial afterwards at Fingal Cemetery, Balgriffin.