By Cillian Sherlock, PAA group for victims of violence related to Northern Ireland has called for a memorial to commemorate two members of the Irish security forces killed by the IRA during a rescue mission 40 years ago. On December 16th, 1983, Private Patrick Kelly and garda recruit Gary Sheehan were killed in Derrada Wood, Ballinamore, Co Leitrim, during an operation to rescue Quinnsworth supermarket executive Don Tidey, who had been kidnapped for 23 days in Dublin. Private Patrick Kelly was killed during the rescue operation (SEFF handout)SEFF’s director Kenny Donaldson said: “To this day, no-one has been held accountable for stealing away the lives of Recruit Garda Gary Sheehan and Pte Patrick Kelly.”Mr Tidey exited the ordeal physically unharmed. “We have been privileged to support the Kelly family and the Sheehans are also known to the organisation. The State should and must honour its own – men of courage, men of honour.”

Source: The Herald December 16, 2023 11:45 UTC