Longford Historical Society unveil Garden of Remembrance plaque to fallen soldier unveiled

The metronomic footsteps of the Irish Defence Forces colour party as they crunched along the gravel of the Garden of Remembrance in Ballinamuck village halted, signalling the ending of a poignant ceremony honouring a fallen soldier.

Some minutes earlier a plaque erected by the County Longford Historical Society was formally unveiled by Minster Jack Chambers and Longford County Council Leas Cathaoirleach Cllr Garry Murtagh.

The blustery weather did little to deter the large group who gathered to honour the memory of Private Patrick Kelly of the 6th Infantry Battalion who was shot and killed in Derrada in Leitrim in 1983.
Private Kelly, along with Garda Gary Sheehan, was killed as he participated in the search as part of the investigation into the kidnapping of businessman Don Tidey.

Tidey was held captive for 23 days in Derrada near Ballinamore. Private Kelly' role in the operation to rescue the businessman ended in Drumcromin Wood when he was shot by the Provisional IRA in the afternoon on December 16, '83.

Among those who gathered in Ballinamuck was Patrick's son Andrew Kelly, who followed in his father's footsteps and became a member of the Irish Defence Forces. Comrades of the fallen soldier were also in attendance, a colour party of the local branch of the Organisation of National Ex-Service Personnel led the crowd to the site of the ceremony.

The commemorative plaque that now stands in the Garden of Remembrance Ballinamuck came at the instigation of County Longford Historical Society with additional funding provided by Granard Municipal District.

The prime mover was Patrick Donnelly, the society's chairperson, who coordinated the day. Mr Donnelly addressed the guests in the '98 Hall, before the ceremony moved outdoors.
Mr Donnelly spoke of the impression Pte Kelly made on the locality: “He was a good husband, a good father, a good son, a good friend and a good member of the Defence Forces. He was a great mechanic. Paddy left life too young,” he said, “I remember it very well. I was on duty that day.”
He told of his former colleagues' initial plans to emigrate: “Paddy was going to go to England. At the airport he changed his mind. He came back and joined the Defence Forces, following his father and brother into the service. He was a valued member, he served overseas. He was the first soldier to be killed on Irish soil since the foundation of the State. Having served out abroad he came home and was killed by so-called Irishmen.”

Mr Donnelly said the location for the memorial plaque was apt: “He will be honoured and remembered in our Garden of Remembrance along with great patriots like General Blake, Colonel McDonald and of course the great Gunner McGee.”
The County Longford Historical Society chair had one particular point to make on the day: “I am hopeful that in the fullness of time there might be an apology to the Kelly family on that great loss. It will not bring him back, but it will bring an acknowledgement that there were mistakes made in the name of what we call patriotism, and I'm not sure that you can call it that.”
Longford County Council Leas Cathaoirleach, Cllr Garry Murtagh, said it was a historic day: “Those who committed this atrocity will not be brought to justice, and we very much regret that. There are former defence forces members here today who knew Paddy, who served with him and this is a poignant occasion for them too.”

In his address Minister for State at the Department of Transport and the Department of the Environment, Climate & Communications, Jack Chambers, said it was a privilege to be part of a ceremony that reflects on the proud legacy Pte Paddy Kelly left behind: “Tragically he was the first member of the Defence Forces to be killed on Irish soil in the line of duty, 40 years ago this month. It's particularly fitting that we honour this brave and courageous soldier here in his homeland of Ballinamuck, a community so rich in political and military history going back to the 1798 rebellion.”
Minister Chambers spoke of the slain soldier's legacy: “A proud Irish man, he served his county with distinction, as did his brother Seamus, and his son Andrew. Patriotism was, and clearly still is, deeply rooted in the Kelly blood.

“His distinguished services, and the ultimate sacrifice he made speaks volumes of the risks that the men and women of our Defence Forces place themselves in to keep others safe and well.”
Cathaoirleach of Granard Municipal District, Cllr Turlough McGovern, acknowledged the support of the local authority on bringing the project to fruition: “We got a phone call about this about eight months ago. Pat Donnelly instigated it and really made it happen,” he said.

He paid tribute to his colleagues: “My fellow councillors in Granard MD worked hard on this. Cllr Colin Dalton, Cllr Paraic Brady, Cllr Garry Murtagh and Cllr PJ O'Reilly worked together with the people of North Longford.”

Though a resident of Moate, Paddy Kelly left a lasting impression on his native village of Ballinamuck: “He grew up only a few kilometres from this historic village,” said Cllr McGovern, “We felt it would be very appropriate in his home area to honour his memory.”

Longford County Council CE, Paddy Mahon saidt: “We were delighted to be involved and lend our support to the Historic Society and the local community in this initiative.
“Ballinamuck is a very active community and today's ceremony is an able illustration of that.”
Among those who attended were Michael, Patrick, David and Andrew Kelly, Sgt Major Paul Farrell, former Fianna Fáil local politician PJ Sheridan, journalists Tommy Conlon and Ronan McGreevy who wrote a book about the Don Tidy kidnapping, many of the Longford local elected representatives, Deputy Joe Flaherty and Senator Micheál Carrigy.