Councillors have hit out at vandals who defaced a memorial to the late Private Patrick Kelly in Moate, Co Westmeath.
Pte Kelly and Garda Gary Sheehan were shot and killed while trying to rescue kidnapped businessman Don Tidey, who was being held by the Provisional IRA at Derrada Woods, Co Leitrim in 1983.
Last October, Pte Kelly’s son David confronted Sinn Féin’s Martin McGuinness as he canvassed in Athlone ahead of the presidential elections. Mr Kelly demanded the names of those involved in his father’s killing.
Cllr Tom Allen (FF) expressed disappointment that the memorial had been defaced with black spray paint in recent days. He believes mindless vandals are responsible, and he doesn’t think Pte Kelly’s memorial was specifically targeted.
“His family . . . are a very respected family, I don’t think this was trying to get at them,” Mr Allen said. “I think just somebody had the tin in their hand.”
Investigating gardaí in Moate have been studying CCTV footage to establish the identity of those involved. They have also notified the council about the damage.