Bryan Murray, who played Bob Charles in Fair City, retired from the soap in April 2025 after revealing his Alzheimer’s diagnosis in 2022
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’s Bryan Murray has moved into full-time care, as his wife and fellow actress Una Crawford O’Brien shares an update on his battle with Alzheimer’s.
The Dublin-born actor, who announced his retirement from the Irish soap Fair City in April 2025 following his public Alzheimer’s diagnosis in 2022, is now receiving round-the-clock care.
Una shared: “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.”
She added: “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 graced Fair City for two decades as Bob Charles, delivering some of the show’s most unforgettable moments, reports RSVP Live.
He met his partner, Una, on the set of the soap where she played Renee Phelan. Both have children from previous relationships.
In a past chat with RSVP, Una revealed: “I have two sons and they’ve been helping me as well, but his family saw the great need then and they have been a great support since then.” This was in reference to when Una broke her foot in November 2023.
Reflecting on the moment she first voiced her concerns, Una revealed: “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.”
11th March 2026; Fair City actress and National Host of Alzheimer’s Tea Day 2026, Úna Crawford O’Brien, pictured with Tony Tormey, Fair City colleague at The Orchard Day Care Centre at the launch of Alzheimer’s Tea Day 2026. The 32nd Alzheimer’s Tea Day 2026 takes place nationwide on Thursday, May 7th 2026. Register now at teaday.ie. Picture credit; Damien Eagers NO REPRO FEE(Image: Damien Eagers Photography 2026)
The Alzheimer Society of Ireland has named Una as the National Host for Alzheimer’s Tea Day 2026. As one of The Alzheimer Society of Ireland’s biggest fundraising initiatives, Alzheimer’s Tea Day generates crucial funding for dementia support services and programmes.
People throughout Ireland can sign up at www.teaday.ie to claim their complimentary Alzheimer’s Tea Day Party Pack, which contains all the essentials needed to organise an event on or around Thursday May 7 2026.
Anyone impacted by dementia can access information and support through The Alzheimer National Helpline on 1800 341 341.
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