Five people questioned in ‘Happy’ murder case

FOUR men and a woman were still being questioned by gardaí last night in connection with the abduction and murder of Limerick man, Richard “Happy” Kelly.

He disappeared on April 24, 2006 and his body was found in a lake in east Clare by fishermen last November. The body was weighted down by two large blocks.

“Happy” Kelly was 17 at the time of his disappearance and his partner had given birth to a baby some weeks before.

The five arrested yesterday were being held in garda stations at Ennis, Shannon and Killaloe under Section 30 of the Offences Against the State Act.

They range in age from 36 to 20.

“Happy” Kelly had numerous convictions for joy-riding stolen cars.

A Southill drugs gang are suspected of abducting and murdering him after he had unknowingly taken a car in which they had drugs, guns and cash stashed.

The missing man’s mother issued repeated appeals for the return of her son’s body.

Fr Pat Hogan, PP of Southill also pleaded for his body to be returned to allow for a proper burial.

“Happy” Kelly’s body was recovered from Lough Brigid, near O’Callaghan Mills.