A memorial to two members of the Irish security forces killed by the IRA on December 16th 1983 has finally been unveiled in County Leitrim.
Private Patrick Kelly, a 36-year-old father of four, and 23-year-old Garda recruit Garry Sheehan were shot dead by kidnappers during the rescue of businessman Don Tidey 41 years ago.
At the ceremony at the start of the week, Garda Commissioner Drew Harris said the two men “paid the ultimate price” that day.
“This is an important day for you, the Sheehan and Kelly families,” he said.
“Today, we unveil a specially designed monument of remembrance to these fallen heroes.
“Today, we honour their service to their country and we pay tribute to their bravery and courage.
“Their sacrifice is etched now in stone just as their loss is etched in our hearts and minds.
“They paid a heavy price, an eternal price, and so it is right and just that their memories are eternally recognised here at Ballinamore.”
Pictured Sgt Daniel Kellehers family (LtoR) , Daniel (Son), mother Caroline, and daughter Lesslie with the Bronze Scott Medal (Posthumously) to Sgt Daniel Kelleher with (2nd center) Mr Don Tidey at a ceremony to award Scott Medals for bravery in Walter Scott House, Dublin. Photograph: Sam Boal / RollingNews.ie. 26/05/2023Patrick Kelly’s son David said the memorial is a huge honour to the families.
“We mourn the loss of our father every day,” he said.
“When he was taken from us, we were such a young family – four boys under the age of 10, a young widow left behind.
"It was a tough time for us but we were resilient and we’re so pleased to be here today to witness this very fitting and lasting tribute to him.”
"Emotional"
Former Garda Eugene O’Sullivan revisited the spot where he escaped death by less than an inch 41 years ago.
“There’s never a day I don’t think of Garry Sheehan and Patrick Kelly,” he said.
“Well, it is emotional I suppose, when you think of the lives they could have lived for the last 40 years you know, two outstanding servants of the State for An Garda Síochána and the Irish Army, Óglaigh na hÉireann."
Mr O’Sullivan said it’s “hard to comprehend” why the monument took so long to be installed.
It now sits outside the Ballinamore Garda station.
With reporting from Barry Whyte.
