Former hurling star appeals for help to find missing uncle

An All-Ireland hurling hero was yesterday leading the search for his elderly uncle who is believed to have wandered away from a nursing home.

Pat Malone, who won All Ireland senior hurling medals with Galway in 1987 and '88, was part of a large group of family, friends and the local community searching for 80-year-old Frank Helly.

Mr Helly is a resident at Moycullen Nursing Home in Ballinahalla, Moycullen, about eight miles from Galway city. He was last seen at the nursing home at about 7pm on Sunday.

The missing man, a former Eircom employee, is a native of Peterswell in south Galway, but has lived most of his life at Dr Mannix Road in Salthill where he was deeply involved in the GAA.

He moved into the Moycullen Nursing Home just a few weeks ago and is known to be suffering from Alzheimer’s Disease.

Frank Helly is described as being about 6’1” tall and, when last seen, was wearing a blue shirt with a maroon sweater and khaki-coloured trousers.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Salthill gardaí at 091-514720.