Figlio di una vittima IRA contro Martin McGuinness: “bugiardo”

Soldier’s son confronts McGuinness on campaign trail

Martin McGuinness has been confronted on his presidential campaign trail by the son of an Irish soldier, killed while trying to rescue an IRA kidnap victim.

Don Tidey, a supermarket executive, was snatched by the IRA in November 1983.

Private Patrick Kelly, 35, was one of two people shot dead by the kidnappers at Derrada Wood, in Ballinamore, County Leitrim as they tried to free Mr Tidey.

His son David Kelly called on Mr McGuinness to name those responsible.

“I want justice for my father. I believe you know the names of the killers of my father and I want you to tell me who they are,” he said.

Mr Kelly told Mr McGuinness, who was canvassing in Athlone, County Westmeath, that he was a “liar” and demanded the men who killed his father hand themselves in.

‘The truth’

The Sinn Fein candidate denied that he knew the names of the IRA members involved in the kidnapping.

He told David Kelly that while he sympathised with him he was not a member of the IRA army council when it happened and repeatedly denied suggestions by Mr Kelly that he was not telling the truth.

Speaking after the confrontation Mr Kelly, who was nine-years-old when his father was killed, said he wanted justice.

“Before we can have reconciliation across the island, which I totally support, there has to be truth, especially for people running for the country,” he told RTE.

“It is not the past. I am going to keep highlighting it. I am going to be relentless against Sinn Fein until they tell me the truth.”

Earlier, Mr McGuinness condemned those behind a death threat phoned into a Sunday newspaper.

He said he was unaware of the details of the alleged threat, but would condemn it without hesitation.