It was with a great sadness that we learned of the death, yesterday Thursday 23rd July 2026 of Mrs Mary Kelly (née Quinlan), Fortview, Ballyduff Road, Two-Mile-Borris, Thurles, Co. Tipperary and formerly of Castletown, Moyne, Co. Tipperary.
Pre-deceased by her parents Kathleen and John; Mrs Kelly passed away peacefully, following a short illness, surrounded by her loving family, while in the care of staff at Tallaght University Hospital, Dublin.
Deeply regretted by her loving husband Michael, daughters Lorraine and Michelle, son Brendan, grandchildren Nicole, Aaron, Lauren, Noah, Christina, Sophie and Brian, daughter-in-law Kelly, Lorraine’s partner Alan, sister Helen, brothers Andrew, Frank, Tom and Johnny, nephews, nieces, brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, extended relatives, neighbours and a wide circle of friends.
Requiescat in Pace.
Funeral Arrangements.
The earthly remains of Mrs Kelly will repose at Hugh Ryan’s Funeral Home, Slievenamon Road, Thurles, (Eircode E41CP59) on Sunday afternoon, July 26th from 5:00pm until 7:00pm same evening.
Her remains will be received into the Church of St James, Two-Mile-Borris, Thurles, on Monday morning, July 27th at 11:00am to further repose for Requiem Mass at 11:30am, followed by interment, immediately afterwards in nearby Two-Mile-Borris Cemetery, Thurles, Co. Tipperary.
The extended Kelly family wish to express their appreciation for your understanding at this difficult time, and have made arrangements for those persons wishing to send messages of condolence, to use the link shown HERE.
Solas na bhflaitheas agus leaba i measc na n-aingeal di.
George. Can anyone tell me why the Irish Government gives thousands of dollars of taxpayers money to so called Irish Support associations in Australia and most parts of other countries. My family in Ireland have and still do hard work for their hard-earned wages. I approached the Irish support in Melbourne for help with my sister. She had a very bad fall in her garden, and her ex-husband was there who she divorced some 40 years ago. He called an ambulance and she was transferred to a hospital 3 months ago. She is still there and so upset she cannot go home. The Irish support has no interest in her or Irish who need some help. Why then is the Irish Government sending thousands of Irish Taxpayers hard earned money to Australia. We live in QLD and Margaret is in Melbourne it costs so much to fly down there. It’s terrible what is happening. I cannot thing about her ex.He tried to kill her twice before and I cannot stop worrying and crying about her.
Hi Katie,
Trust all good with you personally.
The Irish Government does give public money to Irish community organisations overseas through the Emigrant Support Programme. Its stated purposes include helping elderly, disadvantaged and vulnerable emigrants, providing welfare, counselling, information and outreach services, reducing isolation, and maintaining Irish cultural connections. Recipients must provide financial and impact reports and are expected to demonstrate governance, value for money and safeguarding.
In 2025, the published grant list included €104,448 for the Irish Australian Support and Resource Bureau in Victoria and €158,443 for the Irish Australian Support Association of Queensland. So “thousands” is broadly true, although the grants are in euros and can be considerably more than a few thousand.
However, these grants do not normally create an entitlement to cash, flights, accommodation or full case management for every individual who contacts an organisation. They fund organisations and approved programmes, often with limited staff and volunteers. An organisation may also be constrained by privacy rules: unless Margaret has consented, hospital staff and charities may be unable to discuss her health or circumstances with relatives.
That said, the Melbourne organisation publicly says it provides:
emergency and crisis assistance;
volunteers to visit people in hospital;
health, legal and welfare guidance;
outreach to people experiencing hardship or isolation.
Therefore, if the organisation was clearly told that Margaret had been hospitalised for three months, was distressed, and might be unsafe returning home it would be reasonable to expect at least a response, a welfare assessment or a referral.
I cannot confirm from your comment alone whether it refused assistance, lacked Margaret’s consent, misunderstood the request or failed to contact her.
If Margaret has decision-making capacity, her wishes and consent will be central. Steps provides 24-hour Victorian family support on 1800 015 188, including advice for people worried about a loved one. The national 1800RESPECT service is available on 1800 737 732.
Irish Support Victoria can be contacted at (03) 9482 3865 or hello@irishsupportvictoria.org.au. The Embassy of Ireland in Australia can also be contacted on +61 2 6214 0000, including for emergency consular guidance concerning an Irish citizen.
Trust this information is of some help Katie
Regards George,
George. Thank you so much for this information, I hope I can get the help I really need. George I am so stressed out. Its VCAT in Melbourne is causing all this. Poor Margaret has no idea that they are planning not to let her back to her house. I send another email pleading with them to consider there move But just got back a reply from an unknown person at VCAT saying I will have to email another VCAT area for them to decide. You know George Margaret is fine, but they are after money and that is why they are doing this. I have rung Melbourne Irish Support Association 10 times today but as usual no answer George. I will try again tomorrow. I am desperate to find a Solicitor who can help.I know the Irish support association has one along with a doctor but just won’t do a thing to help. Thank you George now my tears are starting again. Katie.
Hi Katie, Keep fighting. The systems are very much the same here in Ireland. Try contacting your public representatives at senior level. Regards George.