Moate's Private Patrick Kelly memorial is relocated

Members of the Athlone Branch of the Organisation of National Ex-Servicemen and Women were delighted to attend the cutting of a ribbon to mark the relocation of the Private Patrick Kelly Memorial to its new location at the Clara Road, Killeenboylegan. This will give the memorial much greater prominence and will be easier for interested parties to access. President of the Athlone Branch Austin Berry cut the ribbon on behalf of his colleagues.The ONE appreciate the help and cooperation they received from Westmeath County Council with this project and feel that the relocation will meet with the general approval of the community in Moate and the midlands. On 16 December 1983, Patrick Kelly, who was from Moate, was attempting to free American businessman Don Tidey, who had been kidnapped by the IRA. Along with Garda recruit Gary Sheehan, he was killed in a shoot-out with Provisional IRA gunmen at Derrada Woods, Ballinamore, Co Leitrim.