Ombudsman to meet with family of murdered Trillick Councillor

by Gráinne Connolly

The Police Ombudsman has agreed to meet with the family of Patsy Kelly, an Independent Councillor from Trillick, after two years of silence on the murder conspiracy case. 

Patsy, a father of five, was well known in the area and managed a pub in Trillick. 

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

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

Today, almost 43 years later, justice has still not been served to the Kelly family who continue to push the case in hope to find out who was responsible for the murder of Patsy. 

Q Radio spoke to West Tyrone MP, Barry McElduff who has met with Geraldine McCafferty, Patsy's daughter and the Kelly family's solicitor Pat Fahy this week. 

He informed us that over a year ago, the last letter was sent from the family's solicitor to the Police Ombudsman, asking for "meaningful engagement and answers to particular engagements."

One year on from that correspondence, those requests have neither been acknowledged or responded to. 

Councillor McElduff has said the lack of communication is "outrageous" and has therefore stepped forward to support the family and their lawyer by directly contacting the Doctor Michael Maguire, the Police Ombudsman. 

He has demanded a meeting with all parties involved to get to the bottom of the case and gain the support of the Police Ombudsman for a fresh inquest. 

Mr McElduff concluded in saying that many people in the Trillick area are very suspicious about who carried out Patsy Kelly's murder therefore it's essential that questions are answered and that the Kelly family get justice. 

The West Tyrone MP also received a response from the Police Ombudsman and his Attorney General; who have agreed to meet later this month. 

Listen to MP Barry McElduff's interview for more detail on the work he carried out this week in search of a fresh inquest to Patsy Kelly's murder: