General election: Shankill IRA bomb victim ‘disgusted’ at Sinn Fein using Sean Kelly as canvasser

A man whose 13-year-old sister was killed in the Shankill bomb says his family have been deeply hurt by one of her killers canvassing for Sinn Fein for the forthcoming election.
Leanne Murray was 13 when she was killed in the Shankill bomb. One of the bombers, Sean Kelly, has been canvassing for Sinn Fein in north BelfastLeanne Murray was 13 when she was killed in the Shankill bomb. One of the bombers, Sean Kelly, has been canvassing for Sinn Fein in north Belfast
Leanne Murray was 13 when she was killed in the Shankill bomb. One of the bombers, Sean Kelly, has been canvassing for Sinn Fein in north Belfast

Gary Murray was speaking after it was revealed that Sean Kelly, who was convicted of planting the Shankill bomb in 1993, has been canvassing for Sinn Fein candidate John Finucane in his bid to win the North Belfast Westminster seat.

The 1993 explosion killed fellow bomber Thomas Begley as well as nine others, injuring almost 60 other people.

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Kelly received a total of nine life sentences but was released early in 2000, under the terms of the Good Friday Agreement.

Gina Murray, mother of Leanne Murray, with her son Gary. He has slammed Sinn Fein for using one of Leanne's killers to canvass for votes in the forthcoming electionGina Murray, mother of Leanne Murray, with her son Gary. He has slammed Sinn Fein for using one of Leanne's killers to canvass for votes in the forthcoming election
Gina Murray, mother of Leanne Murray, with her son Gary. He has slammed Sinn Fein for using one of Leanne's killers to canvass for votes in the forthcoming election

“It is sending out the wrong message,” said Mr Murray, whose sister Leanne was killed in the bomb attack.

“That they can have a multiple murderer out canvassing for them just up the road from where it actually happened, rapping doors not even a mile away. In my eyes it is really disgusting.”

When he first heard he felt “gutted”.

“My wee mum has not left the house in a couple of days because of it. She is getting sick of seeing Sean Kelly’s face in the media and papers. In my eyes how can they do that? It is rotten.”

Sean Kelly attends a commemoration for Shankill bomber Thomas Begley at Milltown cemetery in 2018Sean Kelly attends a commemoration for Shankill bomber Thomas Begley at Milltown cemetery in 2018
Sean Kelly attends a commemoration for Shankill bomber Thomas Begley at Milltown cemetery in 2018
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Leanne would have been 38 in September, three years younger than him.

“I think about Leanne every day of my life. I was 15 when it happened. She was 13.

“We were very close, even though we fought like cat and dog. But I miss her so much, every day.”

He was quickly on the scene after the bomb blast and unsuccessfully tried to dig her out with his bare hands.

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“I am on medication for my PTSD to try and help me sleep, because of the nightmares.”

He feels that the SDLP are effectively endorsing Kelly’s role in canvassing in north Belfast, having withdrawn their candidate from the area in a de facto pact.

“In my eyes they are wrong to do that – what is that telling IRA victims?”

An SDLP spokesman responded it has “unilaterally withdrawn from three constituencies to maximise the pro-Remain vote” in the election next month. “We have not and will not seek the support of paramilitary organisations or connected individuals to shore up electoral support.”

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Sinn Fein leader Mary Lou McDonald rejected DUP criticism on the issue, accusing the party of forming electoral alliances with loyalist paramilitaries.

“I won’t take a homily from the DUP around Sean Kelly or anybody else,” she said.