Kelly family attempt to exhume body

There were incredible scenes at a graveside in Limerick today as the family of the late former councillor, Michael Kelly, attempted to exhume his body.

Mr Kelly’s family said they took the dramatic step following a report in a Sunday newspaper, which suggested that a gun was buried along with the body in the coffin.

They claim that the story was leaked by gardaí and they have now called for a full public inquiry into the events surrounding Michael Kelly’s shooting and the subsequent garda investigation.

The 48 year-old former city councillor died in hospital last month four weeks after he suffered a mystery gunshot wound to the head at his mother’s house in Southill.

Mr Kelly’s brother Anthony has always maintained that he was shot by an unknown party who entered his mother’s house. However, no weapon was recovered and gardaí have also been examining the possibility that the fatal gunshot wound may have been self-inflicted.

The dramatic scenes at Mount St.Oliver Cemetery began to unfold when several of Michael Kelly’s brothers began to dig up the grave equipped with a mechanical mini-digger and shovels.

The family claimed that if they exhumed the body they could prove beyond any doubt that no gun was buried in the coffin.

However, gardaí from Roxboro Road were quickly alerted to the incredible developments at the graveyard and arrived at the scene.

There then followed a stand-off between members of the Kelly family and gardaí as heated discussions took place at the grave.

Mr Kelly’s widow, Majella, was also present at the graveyard as several of the late former councillor's brothers led by Anthony Kelly tried to exhume the body.

They managed to dig about four feet into the grave before gardai intervened and ordered them to stop because they did not have the necessary permission to carry out an exhumation.

It’s understood Michael Kelly’s family will have to obtain an exhumation order from the Cemeteries Services section at Limerick City Council if they want to pursue the dig.

Anthony Kelly confirmed they would continue the dig as soon as the paperwork was complete and they had obtained the necessary permission.

“He’s nearly dug up now and we want gardaí to do a full search of the grave. We decided to do this after the newspaper report, which said a gun was buried in the coffin. At this stage, we’re just sick of it all and we want a full inquiry into everything,” said Anthony Kelly.

Gardaí also confirmed that they would continue to maintain a presence at the graveside until the Kelly family produced the relevant exhumation order to proceed with the dig.

The developments at Mount St Oliver Cemetery followed the arrests last week of three men as part of the investigation into the circumstances of Mr Kelly’s shooting.

At the time, gardaí said that all three men – who were related – were being questioned about “possession of information” relating to Mr Kelly’s shooting.

They were later released without charge.