Sadness on passing of Environmentalist and Moneymore man Alan Keys MBE

Local Environmentalist Alan Keys has been laid to rest today (Thursday) in Magherafelt. The former farmer who is originally from Fivermiletown, Co. Tyrone passed away suddenly last Sunday, June 29 at Antrim Area Hospital. 

Alan is remembered for his love of Lough Neagh, local rivers, and biodiversity. 

His love of the land came to light in 1984 when he formed the Ballinderry River Enhancement Association which later went on to become the Ballinderry River’s Trust. 

Mr Keys who is remembered as a water protector, mentor and friend to local farmers, and fishers continued his work into retirement. Alan provided consultancy on lakes across NI and Donegal, and still worked with farmers, sewage treatment works, companies and DAERA to improve the water quality in our rivers.

In recent years, Alan worked on preventing nutrient run-off at the heart of blue-green algae blooms like planting Russian comfrey on farmland near streams and surveying rivers in Lough Neagh’s catchment for pollution issues.

He also worked on farm trials by the Water Innovation Network with Dr Lindsay Easson and Professor Jim McAdam through the Ballinderry Rivers Trust and his work checking rivers for signs of pollution saw success, with a reduction in dirty water running from farms and NIEA forming a new team to proactively check for pollution.

When King Charles visited in March Alan greeted the monarch to talk about solutions to tackle water pollution. 

Alan leaves behind wife Libby; children Clare, Helen, David and their spouses; grandchildren Joseph and Tilly, and brothers Henry, Wesley and Bryan.

The son of Methodist Minister Jack Keys and wife Lila (Elizabeth), Alan was born in Fivemiletown but the family later lived in Portadown, Ballinamallard and Belfast.

Alan’s funeral service took place this morning (Thursday) at Magherafelt Methodist Church followed by a private burial. His family has asked for donations in lieu of flowers to tenfoundations.org