Top Issue 1-2024

22 June 2016

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UDR soldier and loyalist quizzed on murder of Patrick Kielty’s father allowed to stay on duty

A UDR SOLDIER and active loyalist linked to the sectarian killing of County Down businessman Jack Kielty – father of TV comedy star Patrick Kielty – was allowed by senior officers to continue operating in the British Army regiment despite RUC requests that he be dismissed because of his access to military intelligence to target nationalists and republicans.

The man, identified as “Person A” by Police Ombudsman Dr Michael Maguire in his report into the Loughinisland killings carried out by the Ulster Volunteer Force in 1994, was questioned about the 1988 murder in Dundrum of Jack Kielty.

The Kielty murder has been ascribed to the Ulster Defence Association/Ulster Freedom Fighters but loyalists connected to the UVF are suspected of being involved.

Jack Kielty victim

Jack Kielty

“Person A” was also, according to the Ombudsman, identified by an anonymous caller to the RUC’s confidential telephone service as one of the gun gang who attacked the Heights bar at Loughinisland as people watched the Ireland World Cup match against Italy.

There seems no doubt that “Person A” was a senior loyalist activist at this time.

Delbert Watson, also a UDR soldier who was convicted of the Kielty killing, identified “A” as the man who swore him into the illegal UVF.

Former Royal Marine Commando William Bell and David Curlett were jailed for life along with Watson for the Kielty shooting.

Fingerprints from “A” were found on British Army intelligence photo files recovered during an RUC search of Dundrum Orange Hall when a rifle, sub-machine gun, semi-automatic pistol, revolver, ammunition, gloves and a boiler suit were found.

Watson’s fingerprints were also on the British Army documents.

While “Person A” was able to explain why his fingerprints were on the documents, the RUC officer in charge of the Orange hall raid made “representations” that he be discharged on the grounds that he was using “material originating from the regiment to assist his terrorist activity”.

The RUC detective, “Officer Three”, described “Person A” as “a main organiser [and] planner of loyalist terrorism”. “Officer Three” also identified “A” as the driver of a car used in the attempt to kill Dundrum man John O’Rourke.

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