Odhran Kelly: Lurgan murder investigation continues missing man named locally as victim

https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/northern-ireland/odhran-kelly-named-locally-as-lurgan-murder-victim-while-family-plan-vigil-for-funny-and-caring-person/a523700728.html

A vigil is to be held for “loving, funny and caring” Odhran Kelly, who has been named locally as the victim of a murder in Co Armagh on Sunday – but formal identification is still to take place.
Floral tributes and bouquets were left in memory of the 23-year-old at the scene of the incident on Edward Street in Lurgan.

The vigil for Odhran will take place on Edward Street at 6pm on Wednesday.

In a statement his family said: “There will be a vigil for Odhrán Kelly on Wednesday, December 6, at 6pm, Edward Street. Please join all his family and friends to remember the loving, funny and caring person he was.

“We need to stand together and unite that no more of our precious children are taken so cruelly.”

Police launched a murder investigation after a body was found close to a burning car in the Maple Court area of Edward Street in the early hours of Sunday morning.

Police are yet to identify the body, with a post-mortem set to take place later on Tuesday. The discovery had first been described as a “sudden death” but a murder investigation was later declared.

Two women, aged 35 and 43, and a 31-year-old man have been arrested on suspicion of murder and remain in police custody.

Family and friends of Odhran had been appealing for him to get in touch over the weekend after he went missing.

Among the tributes and heartfelt messages left at the scene, one said: “Forever young Odhran”, while another said “we love you Odhran, I’m so sorry this has happened, I wish one of us were there to protect you. I hope you have found peace”.

“My cousin and friend all in one, I love you more than you will ever know, to the moon, stars and back again,” said another.

In a statement on Monday, Detective Chief Inspector Anthony Kelly said police hope to formally identify the victim on Tuesday.

“Sadly a family has lost a loved one, which is particularly poignant in the run up to Christmas,” he said.

“My thoughts are very much with them.

“The post mortem is expected to take place tomorrow (Tuesday) and we are also hoping formal identification of the victim will take place then.”

“The investigation is at a very early stage and I am appealing for anyone who was in the Edward Street or Francis Street areas of Lurgan between 2am and 5am on Sunday morning, and who noticed any suspicious activity or who may have captured dash-cam footage which could assist with the investigation, to come forward to police.”

Meanwhile, Upper Bann MP Carla Lockhart called for “calm” following the incident.

Ms Lockhart reiterated that plea and asked for the public to give police “time and space” to conduct their inquiry.

“It’s a horrific event that has unfolded. Our thoughts are very much with the family,” she told BBC Good Morning Ulster.

“It’s important that rumours don’t circulate and people allow that space for the police to do their job and for this all to be dealt with via the law.

Alliance Upper Bann MLA Eóin Tennyson described his shock over the death.

“My thoughts and sympathies are with the loved ones of the person murdered in Lurgan,” he said.

“I cannot begin to imagine what they are going through at present. There is shock across Lurgan, Upper Bann and indeed wider Northern Ireland that once again tragedy has been visited upon our area.”

Sinn Féin MLA for Upper Bann John O’Dowd said: “A family somewhere is going to get really bad news today, terrible news today, and our thoughts are prayers are with those.

“At this stage the police are doing their job, they are gathering information, they are appealing for witnesses and I would appeal to anyone with information to come forward.”

by LoveLaughLarne