PSNI apologise for 'inadequacies' in murder investigation

The Kelly family said the apology was needed to acknowledge the "inadequacies" of the police investigation

The family of a nationalist councillor who was killed more than 50 years ago has received an apology from the chief constable of the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI), the High Court has heard.

Patsy Kelly, 35, was shot dead after being abducted on his way home from work at a pub in Trillick, County Tyrone, in 1974.

His body was found weeks later in a lake in County Fermanagh.

The PSNI apologised for "inadequacies" in the investigation, but did not admit liability.

Loyalist paramilitaries claimed responsibility for the murder, but the victim's family has always believed soldiers in the Ulster Defence Regiment (UDR) were involved.

No-one has ever been convicted.

Mr Kelly's family took a civil case against the police relating to the RUC investigation into the murder.

On Wednesday, the Kelly family's barrister, Des Fahy KC read the apology at the High Court, it said: "The PSNI does not admit liability, but recognises and accepts that aspects of that investigation by the RUC in 1974 fell below expected standards.

"The PSNI also acknowledges the deep and lasting grief suffered by Mrs Kelly (Mr Kelly's widow) and the Kelly family because of the murder of Mr Kelly."

The statement had been agreed between both sides, the Kelly family said: "The apology is needed to acknowledge the inadequacies of the entire police investigation.

"It cannot be overstated as to how important this apology is to our family, friends and entire community."

Patsy Kelly's body was found in a County Fermanagh lake about 20 miles from where he worked in County Tyrone

In 2023, Northern Ireland's attorney general rejected calls for a fresh inquest into the killing of Mr Kelly.

The family made the request for an inquest after a Police Ombudsman of Northern Ireland report stated the family was failed by an inadequate police investigation.

It also found evidence of collusive behaviour.

Following a subsequent legal challenge, a new inquest was granted.

In a statement, the Kelly family said: "It is also needed in respect of some of the abominable behaviour of police officers who interacted with Teresa Kelly (Mr Kelly's widow) during the early days of the investigation while Patsy's remains were still missing.

"It is worth stating that in the months after Patsy's murder, the intimidation suffered by Teresa and her family circle and wider community continued.

"For example, Teresa, while heavily pregnant with Patsy's fifth child, was forced to stand at the roadside a few nights before Christmas while her car was searched."

They said Mr Kelly's friends and the local community "suffered intimidation" as well as the wider family circle.

The Kelly family said it received the apology "both for our family and our entire community".

"It is now up to each individual to process their own thoughts towards this statement and to form their own position," it concluded.

Patsy and Teresa Kelly's son, Fearghal, said on Wednesday that getting the apology from the PSNI chief constable was "absolutely massive".

The PSNI has been contacted for comment.