Liam Kelly (Irish republican) facts for kids

Liam Kelly (born September 29, 1922 – died June 7, 2011) was an Irish republican who believed in a united Ireland. He was elected to two different parliaments. From 1953 to 1958, he was a member of the House of Commons of Northern Ireland. He chose not to attend its meetings, a practice called abstentionism. He was also a member of the upper house of the Irish parliament, Seanad Éireann, from 1954 to 1957, which he did attend.

Kelly was also part of the Irish Republican Army (IRA). After leaving the IRA in 1951, he started his own group called Saor Uladh ("Free Ulster"). He also created its political side, Fianna Uladh.

Starting Saor Uladh

Liam Kelly was an important member of the IRA. But in 1951, he was removed from the group. This happened because he carried out military actions with volunteers without the IRA's permission.

After leaving the IRA, Kelly formed a new group called Saor Uladh. This group's activities mostly took place in Kelly's home area of east Tyrone. In November 1955, Kelly and his group attacked a police station in Roslea, County Fermanagh. They used a mine and gunfire. One police officer was badly hurt, and one of Kelly's group, Connie Green, was killed.

A Strong Speech

After Saor Uladh was formed, its members took control of Kelly's home village of Pomeroy. They held their own event to remember the 1916 Rising. This led to big clashes between the police, known as the Royal Ulster Constabulary (RUC), and republicans.

In 1953, Kelly gave a famous speech in Carrickmore. Because of this speech, the RUC arrested him. He was found guilty of speaking out against the government. In his speech, he said he would not support the "foreign queen" and that he believed in using force.

Saor Uladh only attacked targets in Northern Ireland. For example, on November 11, 1956, they attacked six customs posts in Northern Ireland. Kelly did not agree with bombing places like cafes or bars where British soldiers might be.

Time in Jail and Election

While Liam Kelly was in jail, he was elected to the Northern Ireland Parliament. He ran as an Anti-Partition candidate for the Mid Tyrone area in the 1953 Northern Ireland general election. He was an abstentionist candidate, meaning he would not attend parliament if elected.

When he was released from jail, Kelly went back to Pomeroy. A crowd of 10,000 people gathered to welcome him home. Kelly held his seat in parliament until the 1958 Northern Ireland general election. True to his word, he never attended the Stormont parliament building.

Fianna Uladh's Goals

Fianna Uladh was started in 1953. It was the political part of Saor Uladh. Kelly explained Fianna Uladh's main ideas in a speech in Seanad Éireann in 1954.

He said that Fianna Uladh accepted the Constitution of the Republic of Ireland. They wanted to work within its rules to make it apply to all of Ireland. They did not accept Britain's right to rule any part of Ireland. They also refused to take an oath of loyalty to the British Crown to be in parliament.

What Kelly did not say in his speech was that Saor Uladh and he personally were involved in violent actions in Northern Ireland. The creation of Fianna Uladh and its policy of not attending parliament helped cause the Anti-Partition of Ireland League to break up in March 1954.

Election to Seanad Éireann

Liam Kelly's connection with another political party, Clann na Poblachta, led to him being nominated for the Seanad. The Taoiseach (Irish Prime Minister), John A. Costello, made sure Kelly was elected to the Seanad. This was in return for Clann na Poblachta supporting Costello's government.

As a Senator, Kelly spoke in favor of a motion. This motion suggested that elected representatives from "the six occupied counties of Ireland" should be allowed to speak in the Dáil or Seanad.

The Border Campaign by the IRA and attacks by Saor Uladh led to the fall of the government. Costello's government increased security measures against these groups. This led to the arrest of many republicans. Because of this and problems with the economy, Clann na Poblachta stopped supporting the government. Costello then had to call an election in 1957.

Moving to the United States

In 1959, Liam Kelly moved to the United States. By the 1970s, he was the leader of the Republican Clubs organization there. His death notice said he was a "retired assistant Chief Superintendent" for a transport company.

Family Life

Liam Kelly was the uncle of Patrick Kelly. Patrick was an IRA volunteer who died in a conflict with British forces in Loughgall in 1987.

Death

Liam Kelly died in New York when he was 88 years old. He was buried in Pomeroy, County Tyrone.

Bibliography/Further Reading

• J. Bowyer Bell, The Secret Army: The IRA
• Barry Flynn, Soldiers of Folly, Collins Press, 2009.