Northern Ireland

Funeral for former GAA chief John O'Reilly after assault at Armagh hospital unit

John O'Reilly, in his role as Ulster county chairman, presents a minor championship trophy to Armagh Harps captain Joe Quigley. Picture by Seamus Loughran
John O'Reilly, in his role as Ulster county chairman, presents a minor championship trophy to Armagh Harps captain Joe Quigley. Picture by Seamus Loughran John O'Reilly, in his role as Ulster county chairman, presents a minor championship trophy to Armagh Harps captain Joe Quigley. Picture by Seamus Loughran

FORMER Ulster GAA chairman John O'Reilly, who died after being assaulted in a hospital care ward, has been laid to rest.

High-profile figures in the GAA and club representatives attended Saturday's funeral service in the Church of St Malachy, Carrickcruppen, Co Armagh.

Mr O'Reilly was interred in the adjoining cemetery.

The 83-year-old, who lived in Camlough, was attacked while he was a patient at the Gillis Memory Centre in Armagh.

It is alleged he was assaulted by another male patient in the 24-bed ward for people with dementia.

The father-of-seven was transferred to Craigavon Area Hospital where he died on Tuesday.

Mr O'Reilly was a former chairman of the GAA's Ulster Council and a former player and chairman of Crossmaglen Rangers GAC.

He played his first game for the club in 1952 and won the senior championship in 1960 and 1962.

He served two terms as chairman between 1963 and 1971 and was one of three honorary joint club presidents.

The club described him as a "loyal supporter and a true Gael" and said it had learned of his death "with immense sadness".

A Christmas party was cancelled as a mark of respect.

Mr O'Reilly later held the position of chairman of Armagh League Board for five consecutive years before being elected chairman of the County Board, serving in that position until 1981.

He was chairman of the Ulster Council from 2001 to 2004.

President of Ulster GAA Michael Hasson said Mr O'Reilly was president "at a time when Ulster was leading the way on the GAA football fields".

"He was county chairman when his native Armagh reached the All-Ireland final in 1977. But as Ulster president he had the honour of witnessing them winning the Sam Maguire Cup for the first time in 2002," he said.

"The following year he had the distinction of seeing two Ulster counties in the All-Ireland final - something that never happened before and hasn't happened since - when Tyrone won the inaugural title."

Armagh GAA described Mr O'Reilly as "a fine player and a respected administrator within the GAA" adding that he had served as a committee member at every level, from club to national.