Northern Ireland

Appeal on 10th anniversary of Martin Kelly disappearance

Martin Kelly, missing since New Year's Day 2006
Martin Kelly, missing since New Year's Day 2006 Martin Kelly, missing since New Year's Day 2006

POLICE and the father of missing Co Down man Martin Kelly have made a renewed appeal for information on the 10th anniversary of his disappearance.

Mr Kelly was last seen outside Pat's Bar in the docks area of Belfast on New Year's Day 2006.

Despite several land and sea searches, the 21-year-old from Kinnegar Drive in Holywood was never found.

Martin's father Raymond Kelly (64) said the pain of his only son's disappearance has not lessened over the last decade.

"He is still missing. It's still like day one, it still hasn't eased any.

"I just want to appeal to people out there who may know something and who haven't yet come forward."

On New Year's Eve, Martin had drinks with friends in the Priory Bar in Holywood, where he worked, before going to two house parties.

He went to Pat's Bar with friends at about 2pm on New Year's Day.

Martin, who was 6ft 1in and of slim build, was last seen leaving the bar at around 7.30pm, wearing a black Guinness T-shirt and blue jeans.

Raymond Kelly appealed to his friends to recall that day a decade ago.

"It's little bits and pieces at this stage," he said.

"Did his friends notice anything about his state of mind at the time, anything they might have missed before? I'd like them to cast their minds back to that day. What kind of form was he in on New Year's Eve? Did they notice a change in his attitude?"

Mr Kelly said Martin may have fallen into the water but the harbour had been extensively searched.

"People who have been drinking are vulnerable near water," he said.

"It's likely he did fall into Belfast Harbour but we have searched the harbour and found nothing. And no one saw him go into the water."

In 2011 a "reminder" bench was placed at the harbour in the hope that it may jog people's memories.

Mr Kelly also appealed to two girls who alleged they overheard men making threats about Martin.

He said the girls met a man in St Colmcille's Church in Holywood in January 2006 and said they had overheard men in the Priory Bar saying they were "going to do Martin in".

"I would appeal to the girls to come forward," he said.

"I am still hopeful that someone may still say something.

"There's nothing more I can do but to keep making appeals."

Detective Chief Inspector Gary Reid said anyone with information can contact police, Crimestoppers or the Missing People charity.

"Police remain committed and determined to discovering what happened to Martin and to bringing closure to his family," he said.

"Detectives will continue to follow up all new lines of enquiry and any new information."