Patrick Kielty says he has met leaders of Ulster loyalists who killed his father
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Version 0 of 1. Comedian Patrick Kielty has revealed he has shaken hands with the leaders of the Ulster loyalist terror group that murdered his father during the Northern Ireland Troubles. Kielty, who is married to television presenter Cat Deeley, also revealed that members of the Ulster Defence Association have attended his gigs in Belfast. The Co Down-born comic’s father Jack was shot dead by UDA gunmen in the family’s home village of Dundrum in January 1988. Jack Kielty had been due to give evidence in court against a number of UDA men accused of running an extortion-protection racket. “The people who commanded the organisation of those that killed my father have sat in the front row of my gigs and I have shaken their hands. “Do I accept what they’ve done? No, I don’t. Do I accept that times have changed? Yes, I do,” the comedian said. Kielty talks about his father in an interview with veteran author and journalist Eamonn Mallie on Irish TV which will be broadcast on Sunday night at 10pm. He has said that while he feels “100% Irish” he has no problem going out for a drink with members of the British royal family. Although Kielty said he would not accept a knighthood or medal from the Queen he enjoyed socialising with Princes William and Harry. “I’m not anti-royal but I don’t believe in the royal family. I genuinely wish them all the very best … I’ve met Wills and Harry, I had a drink with those lads. I’m trying to work out who bought that drink!” The 44-year-old entertainer’s interview can be seen this Sunday on Sky channel 191, Freesat channel 400 and www.irishtv.ie. It will be re-broadcast again next Wednesday at 11pm. |