Widespread shock at death of Fr Kevin McNamara, a priest who was 'one of a kind'

Kerry Diocese mourns the passing of a much-loved priest who was 'a great believer in the public pulpit'

The late Fr Kevin McNamara reached out to his flock via newspaper columns, and even via a billboard humorously urging the faithful to pay more heed to the 40 days of Lent than to '50 Shades of Grey'. Picture: Eamonn Keogh

The Diocese of Kerry has expressed its “widespread shock” at the unexpected death of the much-loved priest and columnist Fr Kevin McNamara.

Fr Kevin, as he was affectionately known, was in hospital for a number of days when he suddenly took ill and died. It is understood the 66-year-old had been admitted for a planned procedure.