| Irish News report - Sat. 2004-02-21 by Seamus McKinney MLA backs Kelly campaign A FORMER Sinn Fein assembly member John Kelly has added his support to a Derry-based campaign to clear the name of Irish Arms Trial figure, Captain James Kelly. The Co. Derry politician was one of five people, including Captain Kelly, who stood trial in connection with efforts to import arms into Ireland in 1970. All involved - including future taoiseach Charles Haughey - were acquitted. Despite the fact that he was acting with the authorisation of the state, Captain Kelly's career never recovered from the arms trial and he was forced to leave the army. He died last year. Now his wife, Sheila intends launching an official campaign to clear his name through a Derry-based lobby group. Adding his support, Mid-Ulster assembly member, Mr. Kelly said the group should also include Albert Lyuxs, a Belgian Flemish businessman who was also acquitted in the case. "It completely wrecked the life of Albert Lyuxs. He had an hotel in Sutton (Dublin) which was doing very well but after the trail he had to close. He lost everything; his business collapsed," Mr. Kelly said. He said Mr. Lyuxs (now deceased) was a foreign businessman who accepted the bona fides of Irish government ministers at face value and so became involved in the episode which led to the arms trial. "I would say to anyone working on the case, do not forget Albert," he said. Mr. Kelly said that while everyone remembers Mr. Haughey, Captain Kelly, Neil T. Blaney and himself, Mr. Lyuxs was marginalized and forgotten about. Captain Kelly's widow intends travelling to Derry in the near future to officially launch the campaign to clear her husband's name. |
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