12/08/2008

'Surrogate Father' Drowns On Stag Night

A young man - who had been looking after his younger sister by acting as her surrogate father since theri dad's death - has drowned during a stag night stunt.

The victim was Ruairi Kelly, 28, a chef who lived in Leixlip, Co Kildare. He had been caring for his little sister, Leonie, since the death of their father Pious from cancer over three years ago.

Mr Kelly was also a keen hurler, and was described as a "leader" on the hurling field by his team mates in Maynooth GFC.

In a unlikely turn of events, Ruairi is now the fourth young player for the club to die in the last 12 months.

The accident happened after Mr Kelly got into difficulty after diving into choppy waters off Brighton Pier in England with some friends last Saturday evening.

He had travelled to Brighton last Friday to celebrate his friend Colin Moen's stag party.

After Mr Kelly got into difficulties Mr Moen tried to pull him from the water but failed. Two lifeguards also tried to help but were defeated by heavy surf and a dangerous undertow.

(DW)

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