Clare native gunned down outside New York family home

POLICE in the Bronx are investigating the murder a well-known GAA coach in New York.

John Kelly, 43, a native of Sixmilebridge in Co Clare, was shot dead outside his home. He emigrated to the US 20 years ago.

One of the first on the scene was his wife Ann, who also comes from Sixmilebridge. They have three children, Lauren, 15, Nicole, 10 and Kevin, nine.

The couple and their children lived in the apartment building outside which John was murdered.

He was removing Christmas decorations when a gunman opened fire.

Police have not uncovered a motive for the murder, which happened on Sunday.

Mr Kelly was also manager of the apartment building.

His sister, Ettie Reilly, said yesterday: “John lived and worked for his wife and children. He was a great family man. The last time he came home to Ireland was 15 years ago for my wedding.

“He sent Ann and the children home for a holiday each summer. John was a great hurling man and coached hurling teams in New York. As a young lad he was a great player with Sixmilebridge.”

Ms Reilly said it is hoped her brother’s body will be flown home on Friday for burial on Saturday, but that has not been confirmed.

Some reports state that Mr Kelly was on a ladder removing Christmas decorations when he was shot.

Passengers in a bus raised the alarm after they saw him lying on the ground.

When police arrived they initially thought he had fallen from the ladder, but on closer inspection they discovered a bullet wound in the head.

His father, John Snr, is a well-known, retired taxi driver in Sixmilebridge, where he lives with his wife, Vera.

Clare GAA official Tim Crowe said: “I trained John and he was a fine underage player. He played mostly in midfield and he also played soccer for Bridge United. He was a very athletic young lad.

“Ann is one of the Murphy family, also from Sixmilebridge, and in that sense it is a double tragedy for the community.”

The dead man has one brother, Kenneth, who lives in Sixmilebridge.

He is also survived by sisters Ettie Reilly (Dublin), Geraldine Murphy (Dublin), Verona Egan (Sixmilebridge), Linda O’Shea (Sixmilebridge) and Ruth Corbett (Quin).

His parents were being comforted at their home in Sixmilebridge yesterday.

One local person said: “John and Vera were preparing to move to Spain to retire. This has come as a tragic blow to the family and the entire community.”