Shatter awards Military Star Medal to private who died in Leitrim

The Justice Minister Alan Shatter has awarded the Military Star Medal to a private who died on active service in Ballinamore, Co. Leitrim in 1983.

Private Patrick Kelly received the award posthumously today from Minister Shatter, who said Private Kelly had made the ultimate sacrifice in the service of the State, and that the awarding of the military star formally acknowledged that.

The military star has never been given to a member of the defence forces who passed away on active service at home.

The change came after a Medals Review Group recommended that the award be expanded.