Úna Crawford O’Brien has given a health update on Bryan Murray’s personal life with Alzheimers, almost a year after Bryan’s retirement announcement from Fair City
16:00, 12 Mar 2026Updated 08:57, 13 Mar 2026
Bryan Murray and Una Crawford pictured on the red carpet at the Stadium Panto, Beauty and the Beast, A Sammy and Buffy Adventure at the National Stadium,Dublin(Image: Brian McEvoy)
Fair City star Bryan Murray has now been placed in full-time care as his wife, actress Úna Crawford O’Brien, has shared an update on his life with Alzheimers.
The Dublin born actor announced his retirement from Irish soap Fair City in April 2025 after going public with his Alzheimers diagnosis in 2022.
Úna said: “Over the past year, Bryan’s needs became far greater, and he has now moved into full time care. Up until now I didn’t have time to think. My day was completely focused on Bryan and his needs. Now I have time to miss him.”
“There is no way that Bryan and I would have ever been able to cope without the help of family and friends and the extraordinary support we received from The Alzheimer Society of Ireland and their team of carers who called to our house every week.”
Bryan played the role of Bob Charles for 20 years on Fair City where his character had some of the most memorable moments throughout his years on the show.
He met his partner, Úna on the soap where she portrayed Renee Phelan. The two both have children from previous relationships.
In a previous conversation with RSVP, Úna opened up about how she broached the subject of Bryan’s Alzheimer’s symptoms with him.
The soap star said: “It took me about four months to have the courage to say anything because it’s a really hard thing to say, ‘I think there’s something wrong with your memory and maybe you should do something about it.’
“It took me a long time to be able to come out and say it. I chose a beach in Caherdaniel and there was absolutely nobody there. It was February and a glorious sunny day.
“I thought, ‘I’d say it now and if he roars at me and tells me what to do with myself, nobody will hear.’ He actually took it very well. Perhaps he had the inkling that there was something there, because he said, ‘Yes, I’ll go and have it checked out.’
“The thought of saying it to him was much worse than the reality.”
She added: “He probably did realise that he was having difficulty with the lines [for Fair City]. Deep down inside him, he was aware that there was something.”
Úna has been announced by The Alzheimer Society of Ireland as the National Host of Alzheimer’s Tea Day 2026.
Alzheimer’s Tea Day is one of The Alzheimer Society of Ireland’s largest fundraising events, raising vital funds for dementia supports and services.
People across Ireland are invited to register at www.teaday.ie to receive a free Alzheimer’s Tea Day Party Pack. This pack includes everything that one might need to host an event on or around Thursday May 7th 2026.
The Alzheimer National Helpline offers information and support to anyone affected by dementia on 1800 341 341.
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