LISTEN: MPs request meeting with British Minister of murdered Councillors family

by Gráinne Connolly

Sinn Féin MPs Barry McElduff and Francie Molloy, have requested a meeting with British Minister, Michael Fallon MP, on behalf of the family of Independent Councillor Patsy Kelly who was murdered over 40 years ago. 

In 1974, the Trillick Councillors body was found in Lough Eyes near Tempo after he went missing on his way home from a pub that he worked at. 

It was later revealed that he had been abducted and was shot dead before his body was dumped 10 miles from his home. 

Still today, the Kelly family have no official information as to who may have killed him, although many conspiracies have gathered over the years, with many fingers being pointed at members of the UDR who patrolled the area. 

Barry McElduff, MP for West Tyrone says he requested the meeting to support the Kelly family "in their long running campaign for truth and justice for Patsy's murder". 

"To date the British MoD (Minister of Defence) has refused to disclose information about the members of the UDR who stopped Patsy at a checkpoint on the night of his killing. 

Both Mr McElduff and fellow Mid Ulster MP, Francie Molloy will be accompanying the Kelly family to London on the 14th of November "as part of a day for lobbying and engagement on their campaign for truth and justice": 

Sinn Féin's Westminster Spokesperson on Legacy and Collusion, and MP for Mid Ulster, Francie Molloy said:

"The Kelly family is one of many who have waited for decades on the most basic information on the murder of their loves ones. 

"The British government refuses to provide information to families, particularly in cases where there is strong suspicion of collusion. 

"We have asked for this meeting to allow the family to express directly to Michael Fallon the hurt and pain which their policies continue to inflict on grieving families."