'He Dedicated His Life To His Pursuit Of Justice'
County Derry Post|6 February 2018

Tributes paid to Maghera man, Neecie Kelly

Caoimhe Hegarty
'He Dedicated His Life To His Pursuit Of Justice'

TRIBUTES were last night paid to a Maghera man, who spent the past 30 years fighting for justice for his two murdered sons.

James Kelly, who was locally known as ‘Neecie’, passed away peacefully at Antrim Area Hospital on Saturday.

Since the early 90’s, Neecie has been actively seeking justice for his two sons, Michael and Jimmy.

Neecie’s 15 year-old son Michael was bludgeoned to death with a pickaxe having stumbled upon a criminal gang as he played around a derelict shop in Maghera in February 1988. Initially reported as missing, his body lay for days before being discovered.

On March 25, 1993, Neecie and his wife Anna were dealt another devastating blow when their 25 year-old son Jimmy, was one of four Catholic workmen killed by a paramilitary gang in Castlerock. Their work van was sprayed by bullets as they arrived to Gortree Place, a housing estate where they had been working for some months.

Tragically, three months after his Jimmy’s murder, Neecie lost his beloved wife Anna.

Despite a hard-fought campaign spanning almost 30 years, due to repeated failures by the state, Neecie died without uncovering the truth behind his sons’ murders.

This story is from the 6 February 2018 edition of County Derry Post.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.

This story is from the 6 February 2018 edition of County Derry Post.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.

MORE STORIES FROM COUNTY DERRY POSTView All
Dungiven Charity Helps Produce Accessible Heritage Guide
County Derry Post

Dungiven Charity Helps Produce Accessible Heritage Guide

A DUNGIVEN community group has helped produce an innovative accessible heritage book detailing historical sites in the area.

time-read
2 mins  |
County Derry Post 15th October 2019
Kevin Wins Big In Us Awards
County Derry Post

Kevin Wins Big In Us Awards

MAGHERAFELT student Kevin Toner has been named Study USA 'Student of the Year'.

time-read
2 mins  |
County Derry Post 15th October 2019
Co Derry Cross-Border Ferry Given No Guidance Over Brexit
County Derry Post

Co Derry Cross-Border Ferry Given No Guidance Over Brexit

STAFF at a Co Derry cross-border ferry say they have still not received any official guidance over Brex it.

time-read
1 min  |
County Derry Post 15th October 2019
New Row PS Pupil's 'Buddy Up'
County Derry Post

New Row PS Pupil's 'Buddy Up'

NEW Row Primary School year 7 pupils have taken on their buddy roles for the rest of the school year.

time-read
1 min  |
County Derry Post 15th October 2019
A Light In The Lives Of All Who Knew Her
County Derry Post

A Light In The Lives Of All Who Knew Her

Mourners urged to sign-up to organ donation as 11 year-old Aimee Brady dies whilst waiting for a heart

time-read
4 mins  |
County Derry Post 15th October 2019
Drumsurn Man Speaks Out Following Attack On Home
County Derry Post

Drumsurn Man Speaks Out Following Attack On Home

A COUNTY Derry man has spoken out following an arson attack on his property last month which caused over £7,000 damage. Drumsurn man Francis McWilliams was speaking after his Kilhoyle Road home was attacked.

time-read
1 min  |
7 November 2017
Rare Footage Of 1960's Parish Life Shared By Digital Film Archive
County Derry Post

Rare Footage Of 1960's Parish Life Shared By Digital Film Archive

RARE footage of life within the parish of Ballinascreen in the 1960’s has been causing a stir on social media over the past few days.

time-read
2 mins  |
7 November 2017
Former Principal Of St Patrick's College Maghera Passes Away
County Derry Post

Former Principal Of St Patrick's College Maghera Passes Away

ONE of St Patrick’s Col-lege, Maghera’s most influential school principals, has sadly passed away. 

time-read
1 min  |
7 November 2017
Landscape And Wartime Heritage Boost For Binevenagh
County Derry Post

Landscape And Wartime Heritage Boost For Binevenagh

WARTIME sites across the Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council are set to be conserved following a multimillion pound project.

time-read
2 mins  |
7 November 2017
Stephen King's 'The Shining' Review
County Derry Post

Stephen King's 'The Shining' Review

PROBABLY Stephen King’s most famous novel, The Shining is still one of the scariest books you will ever read, especially around Halloween. 

time-read
1 min  |
7 November 2017