Mickey Harte's brother dies after long illness

TYRONE FOOTBALL manager Mickey Harte and his family have suffered another bereavement with the death of his brother after a long illness.

Paddy Harte died just a month after Mickey Harte’s daughter Michaela was murdered while on honeymoon in Mauritius.

Paddy Harte was ill from cancer, although he did attend his niece’s funeral service.

Saturday’s Dr McKenna Cup final between Tyrone and Derry was postponed as a result.

It is the fourth death that the Harte family have had to face in recent months.

His brother Peter, a former president of the Ulster Council, died from a brain tumour in October and his mother-in-law Patsy Donnelly died in August.

Writing in the Irish Newsat the weekend, Mr Harte said the fact that his daughter's death had united both communities in the North had helped assure the family that her death was part of God's bigger plan.

Both First Minister Peter Robinson and Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness visited the family home in Ballygawley after the tragedy.

“The number of cards and letters we have received, again across the entire religious and political spectrum, is now in the thousands, and for that we are most appreciative,” he said.

“As you would understand the task of reading them all is quite daunting, but I want to assure all those kind enough to take time to send such messages that I will personally read every syllable over the coming months.”