Tributes paid to loving couple who died hours apart after contracting Covid-19

The couple from west Belfast, who contracted coronavirus, were married 53 years.

Both had underlying health conditions.

According to a report in the Irish News the couple, who lived on Iris Mews close to the alls Road, died hours apart.

Their heartbroken daughter Fiona told how she returned from abroad six months ago to look after her mother after she suffered a stroke, while her father was diagnosed with terminal lung cancer two months ago.

Ms Vallely revealed that her father was taken to the Royal Victoria Hospital ten days ago after becoming weak where he was placed in isolation and tested positive for Covid-19 before being transferred to the Mater Hospital in north Belfast.

Her mother, who also tested positive for the virus, was taken directly to the Mater after becoming ill last Thursday and died on Saturday night.

Mr Vallely was later transferred into his wife’s room where he too lost his fight for life.

Saint Paul’s parish priest Fr Tony Devlin said: “They were a lovely wee couple and lived their lives to look after each other.

“They loved their family and their family loved them and they were very close knit.”