The son of a Longford soldier shot dead in Leitrim 37 years ago this week has appealed for anyone with information on his murder to come forward.
On December 16th, 1983, Private Patrick Kelly as well as Garda Gary Sheehan from Carrickmacross in Monaghan were shot dead as they were part of a search party looking to find businessman Don Tidey.
The IRA kidnapped the millionaire in November 1983 and held him hostage for 23 days before a shoot-out in a wooded area near Ballinamore preceded his rescue.
This week a wreath was laid in memory of Private Kelly at the Custume Barracks memorial for the Ballinamuck native.
On 16 Dec 1983 Pte Patrick Kelly 6 Bn lost his life in service to the state. Today OC 6 Inf Bn lay a wreath at Custume Bks memorial garden flanked by Sgt J Daly a close friend of the family. A lament was played. We remember Garda Gary Sheehan aswell, who was also killed that day. pic.twitter.com/vlbkmCowvf
— 6 Infantry Battalion (@6_Inf_Bn) December 16, 2020
His son David Kelly has vowed to continue his fight for justice as non-one has ever been convicted of the double murder.
He feels that a memorial should be erected in Longford to his father and is also hoping someone with information about the events in Derradda will come forward:
