Mattie McGrath Pays Tribute to Peter Kelly, Recalls Longford Ties
Mattie McGrath spoke on behalf of the Royal Independence to offer brief remarks on the passing of Peter Kelly, praising Kelly's friendship, humour and devotion to Longford. McGrath expressed deepest sympathies to Kelly's wife Maura and her family and described Kelly as a true Longford man, family man, businessman and astute politician.
Tribute and background
McGrath recalled that Peter Kelly was first elected in the 2002 election and said they became close after McGrath entered in 2007. He framed his remarks as brief words on behalf of the Royal Independence and on the significance of Kelly's public life.
Friendship and anecdotes
McGrath emphasised Kelly's warm friendship, counsel and laughter, recalling stories about trips to London and New York and his involvement with Longford Irish Associations. He described how Kelly could turn tense moments into laughter, referencing an occasion in the Parliament Party room when Deputy Penrose's mention prompted uproarious laughter.
Public roles and hospitality
McGrath noted Kelly's commercial life in the public and undertaker business and praised him as an astute politician who served on the communications committee. He also recalled Kelly's hospitality in Dublin, saying Peter looked after colleagues when accommodation was unavailable.
Condolences to family
McGrath offered "our deepest sympathies" to Kelly's wife Maura and her family, saying he knew how much they must miss him. He closed by reaffirming Kelly's identity as a true Longford man, a family man and a committed public figure.
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Deputy Matthew McGrath On behalf of the Royal Independence, to say a few brief words on the iPhone times and the passing of Peter Kelly, first elected to Daly and for the Longford House Common in the 2002 election, and when I came in here in 2007, no greater friend did I achieve and gain, and advice and counsel and his friendship and his laughter and his fun, and indeed he regained many stories about his trips to London and New York, to the Longford Irish Associations, and he loved his native Longford, he loved his family, obviously, but Longford was his mantra, and I was present in the Parliament Party room, even, he mentioned the thing about the promotion that Deputy Penrose mentioned, the place fell around the laughter, and the most tense of situations could be turned into a very funny and joyous one with Peter, because he was a true character, obviously dedicated businessman as well, and the public and undertaker business, and indeed an astute politician, and on the communications committee I served with him also, and he was always, always in good form, always very hospitable, I was a benefit of his hospitality here in Dublin once or twice when we couldn't get accommodation, Peter looked after many of us, and I want to express our deepest sympathies to his wife, Maura, indeed, and her family, who are here today, and I know how much they miss him, but in a very good and again, I am the. I think that he is trying to become a true, I think a true Muslim, and a true Longford man, and a true family man, and a great politician, so I rest day, good-evan, I'm d indeed. stake or a random dealish.
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