KEITH Leal, the 27-year-old son of Rev Dario Leal, Presbyterian minister of Dunfanaghy and Carrigart, died peacefully at Wythenshawe Hospital in Manchester, almost four months after being taken ill at the end of May.

Keith, who had been staying with his father and travelling back and forth from Dunfanaghy Manse to the family home in Ballynahinch, had initially received treatment in Letterkenny University Hospital, Altnagelvin in Derry and the Mater in Dublin before being airlifted from Dublin to Manchester.

He was admitted to the Wythenshawe at the start of June and underwent specialist treatment but tragically passed away at teatime on Thursday, September 10. The hospital chaplain was with Rev Leal and his wife Denise at the bedside as Keith died.

The sad news was broken to the congregations of Dunfanaghy and Carrigart churches last weekend.

Happier times: Rev Dario Leal, his wife, Denise and their children, (from left) Samuel, Keith, Isabelle and Emily outside Carrigart Church after Dario’s installation in May 2025.

Mr Leal sent a message thanking everyone in the congregations and beyond for their prayers and support in recent months and said the messages had meant so much to Keith and the family.

Keith’s wake will be on Friday, September 25 from 2-9pm at Dunfanaghy Manse (F92 D585). The funeral will take place on Saturday, September 26 at 12 noon in Dunfanaghy Presbyterian Church followed by burial in Clondahorkey Old Church Graveyard, Dunfanaghy.
Mr Leal, who is originally from Chile, had served as a Presbyterian minister in Belfast and then Ballynahinch before being appointed to the Co Donegal churches in May 2025.

Keith is survived by his parents and his brother, Samuel and two sisters, Isabelle and Emily.