Republican News · Thursday 24 July 2003

Sympathy on death of James Kelly

Sinn Féin Dáil leader Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin has expressed his and his party's sympathy to Sheila Kelly and to all the family and friends of the late James Kelly.

"I knew James Kelly for many years and always admired his tenacity and his integrity in his long campaign for truth and justice," said the Cavan/Monaghan TD. "James Kelly was one of those scapegoated in the early 1970s by powerful sections of the establishment in this State who refused to face up to their responsibilities and who abandoned the nationalists in the Six Counties to their fate.

"The Irish government should now fully disclose all records in relation to the Arms Trial, admit the responsibility of the Cabinet of the time and fully exonerate James Kelly and his codefendants."

Sinn Féin Councillor Dessie Ellis attended the removal on Friday evening, 18 July. Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin was at the Mass and burial on Saturday morning. Sinn Féin Assembly member ond friend of James Kelly, John Kelly, was among those who spoke a tribute from the altar on Saturday.