Dunshaughlin rallies around Kealy family following death of Denis in road collision

Tragedy comes six months after passing of sister, Maria

The village of Dunshaughlin and beyond is this morning trying to come to terms with the death yesterday of Denis Kealy in a collision on the Trim-Dublin Road near Batterstown.

The Rathbeggan-based founder and owner of the Keamc building construction company was involved in a single car collision at Piercetown, Dunboyne, yesterday afternoon at around 2.30pm.

His death comes just over six months after the passing of his sister, Maria, from illness last December.

The Kealys are a prominent and popular Gaelic footballing family with Denis featuring in the celebrated Dunshaughlin three-in-a-row county SFC successes some 20 years ago, which led to Leinster victory and an All-Ireland campaign, and he continued to support the Dunshaughlin and Royal Gaels club as a sponsor. The defender was captain of the senior team in 2009, and also donned the county colours at many levels.

The community of Dunshaughlin is devastated and heartbroken for his wife, Charlene McAuley, and children, and the extended Kealy family, who have been through so much of late.

In a post this morning on the Dunshaughlin and Royal Gaels Facebook page, the club says: "It is with deepest sadness and a heavy heart that we write on the sudden and tragic loss of Denis Kealy. Our sincere condolences to the Kealy family, relatives and friends. As a whole community, we would ask that you remember the family at this very difficult time."

The club says all training and club activities are suspended at this time.