Northern Ireland

Son of loyalist victim Joseph Kelly willing to meet killers

Joe Kelly, whose father Joseph was killed by loyalists in 1972. Picture by Mal McCann.
Joe Kelly, whose father Joseph was killed by loyalists in 1972. Picture by Mal McCann. Joe Kelly, whose father Joseph was killed by loyalists in 1972. Picture by Mal McCann.

The son of a loyalist murder victim has said he wants to meet his father's sectarian killers.

Joseph Kelly (44) was shot dead as he travelled on a bus in east Belfast in December 1972.

His son Joe Kelly has said he is prepared to meet those who murdered his father amid fears that the British government's controversial legacy bill will close down any chance for the truth.

The murder was carried out by the UDA unit known as the Baker/McCreery Gang.

The first loyalist supergrass, Albert 'Ginger' Baker was a member of the infamous UDA 'G4 unit' which carried out a series of brutal murders in Belfast in the early 1970s.

A former British soldier, Baker later received a life sentence for killing four men and claimed to have links to British military intelligence.

The UDA gang is thought to have been responsible for killing 22 people, including up to eight in 'romper-room' murders.

These involved the kidnap, torture and murder of innocent Catholics.

It was led by UDA founding member Ned McCreery who was gunned down by his own organisation in 1992.

Some victims believe the UDA unit was a 'counter gang' set up as part of British army policy to infiltrate loyalist groups in the 1970s.

Joe Kelly, who was 12 at the time of his father's murder, said his family is still waiting for "truth and justice".

He also voiced concern over the British government's controversial Legacy Bill.

"Like many families my dad's siblings have all passed," Mr Kelly said.

"I was 12 when this murder happened and I'm now 62, the youngest of four still waiting truth and justice which is now in grave danger because of the new legacy bill."

Mr Kelly believes the only way he will get answers is by meeting those who killed his father.

"This organisation murdered at will and without fear of being caught due to collusion with the RUC and military forces," he claimed.

"As with the passage of time and the introduction of this legacy bill, I too like many families have come so far that I am willing to meet anyone involved in our dad's murder no matter what their part was anytime, anywhere.

"This is the only way we feel we will get truth."

Mr Kelly believes the British government's proposals are not compliant with it's obligations under the European Convention on Human Rights.

"This bill is only for one aim and that is to say we are all equals here, but some will be treated more equal than others and we all know who that is," he said.

"Every bereaved family, deserves truth."

Paul Butler, of Relatives For Justice, said he will ask the Police Ombudsman to investigate prison claims made by Albert Baker to former Labour MP Ken Livingstone in 1982 that guns used by the 'G4' murder squad came from Mountpottinger RUC station in east Belfast.

"It is 50 years ago since Joseph Kelly was killed and yet his family have still not had a proper investigation into his murder.”

A spokesman for the Northern Ireland Office said the British government tabled "a number of amendments" to the proposed legislation.

"The UK Government is determined to deliver better outcomes for those most affected by the Troubles, while helping society to look forward," he added.

A spokesman for the Ministry of Defence: “It would be inappropriate to comment as legal proceedings are ongoing.”