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23 Dec 2025

Tributes paid to wife of Celtic legend following death on flight diverted to Cork

Rosemary Burns, wife of former Celtic player and manager Tommy Burns, passed away after becoming ill on a flight from Tenerife

Cork Airport welcomes the Government’s supports for Irish aviation

Cork Airport

Tributes have been paid to Rosemary Burns, wife of Celtic legend Tommy Burns, after she died after becoming unwell on a flight which was diverted to Cork Airport. 

Celtic Football Club led the tributes following her death. 

"Everyone at Celtic Football Club is devastated to hear of the passing of Rosemary Burns, wife of Celtic legend Tommy Burns," the club posted on social meda.

"The thoughts and prayers of everyone at the club, and the entire Celtic Family are with Emma, Jenna, Michael and Jonathan at this desperately sad time."

Many commented on social media that she was now reunited with her beloved Tommy. 

Rosemary Burns, 69, reportedly passed away after falling ill on a Jet2 flight to Glasgow on Wednesday.

Flight LS176 departed from Tenerife at 10.16pm on Tuesday and was on its way to Glasgow International Airport when the cabin crew declared an on-board incident early on Wednesday.

According to the Daily Record, Rosemary had become unwell while on holiday in the Canaries and boarded an earlier flight home.

Rosemary and Tommy met as just 17-years-old at a disco in Glasgow. They married in 1980 and went on to have four children together.

The couple were married for 28 years before Tommy's death in 2008.

Tommy Burns was a player, manager and coach at Celtic, winning 6 Scottish league titles during his playing career. 

The late Mr Burns died of melanoma on 15 May 2008, aged 51.

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