Detective Inspector Stephen Harvey said the case continues to have a profound impact on Mr Kelly’s family and that detectives remain determined to establish what happened to him.
Mr Kelly — a plumber who also worked part-time as a barman at the Priory Inn in Holywood, where he was from — was last seen on New Year’s Day 2006.
He had worked on New Year’s Eve 2005 in the bar, where he had also had drinks before attending two house parties with friends. The following day, he and his friends went to Pat’s Bar (which has since closed down) on Garmoyle Street in Sailortown, to watch a football match.
Martin Kelly
Credit: PSNI
After his friends left, Mr Kelly stayed behind talking to other customers. He left the bar at approximately 7.10pm and has not been seen since.
At the time of his disappearance, Mr Kelly was described as being around 6ft 1in tall, of slim build, with short dark hair. He was wearing a black Guinness T-shirt and blue jeans.
Det Insp Harvey added this week that “police investigating Martin’s disappearance carried out searches on land and on the water and deployed the diving team and air support team in these searches”.
“We have also undertaken extensive enquiries, but despite conducting a wide range of interviews and reviewing all available CCTV relating to the incident, Martin has not been located,” he said.
“We remain committed and determined to discovering what happened to Martin and detectives will continue to follow up all new lines of enquiry and any new information.
“We would urge anyone who may have knowledge of Martin’s disappearance to contact the Police Service of Northern Ireland.
“Information can be given to detectives by calling 101, the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111, or Missing People on 116 000.”
Mr Kelly’s father Raymond (74) has never stopped searching for his son, or answers in relation to his disappearance.
Martin Kelly
Credit: PSNI
He now plans to pursue those he believes hold vital information, including one man in particular.
Raymond, who does not believe his son fell into the River Lagan, and suspects he was murdered, recently told Sunday Life: “There is a witness that would know everything, but he will not speak to me.
“Many years ago, I went to his mum and dad’s house to try and get him to speak to me, but he wouldn’t.
“I’ve made the decision I am going to pay him a visit in the new year because it’s about time. It’s been 20 years. He has key information.
“He knows a lot, and I’m not letting it go. I want him to share this information with me. I believe I am entitled to that.”
He added: “I do believe he was murdered by paramilitaries.
“He was pretty stressed out around Christmas time, and I wonder did he pick up information or know something he shouldn’t have done.
“He was working in a bar in Holywood and his religion didn’t help with the UVF and LVF in the area.
“None of his group of friends down there at the time would speak to me. They were really spooked.
“He ended up with two phones that night, and I have always been interested in why.
“I’ve been told he had a lend of it because his battery was dying, but I had to really fight for that information, which should have been given to me long ago.
“He didn’t make any calls or texts, and he received one phone call that evening. I think he knew people were after him.
“There are six people who are alive who know an awful lot of information about what happened to Martin, and they need to speak up. I haven’t forgotten about them.
Martin (circled) in CCTV footage
“There’s something there that these people are hiding, which is deep and dark.”
The case was referred to the Police Ombudsman in 2023, and Raymond previously appealed for an individual who contacted the Missing People national helpline in June 2020 to reach out again.
Two young women in the bar were reportedly overheard discussing “how two men were going to get Martin”.
Raymond continues to search for these women and others today — the 20th anniversary of his son’s disappearance.