The town park in Moate is to be named after the late Private Patrick Kelly, who was shot dead at Derrada Woods, Co Leitrim almost 25 years ago.
Councillors at last week’s Athlone Area meeting agreed unanimously to Cllrs Joe Whelan and Tom Allen’s joint motion, that the new town park be named in memory of the late soldier and deceased members of the Defence Forces in the Moate area.
Both councillors spoke emotively at the meeting of the late soldier. “Patrick Kelly died on December 16 1983, leaving behind his wife Catherine and four sons. He was a great family man, whose great passion was cars. He had done three tours of duty in the Lebanon and one in Cyprus, and had served his country well,” said Cllr Whelan.
“It is fitting that the town park in Moate be dedicated to his memory and to members of the defence forces from Moate, which has a strong link to Custume Barracks. It would also be a great honour to his family that this park be dedicated to him.”
Cllr Allen added that he would never forget the day he heard that Pte Kelly had died. “It was a great tragedy to his family and friends. Moate is well known for the amount of its people in the Army, and it continues to serve the Army well. It is fitting that this park, close to where Pte Kelly lived, be named after him,” he said.
