Thursday 29 October 2026Compiled from published reports. Every claim links to its source.

Ireland Crime

Every case followed from the first report to the sentence, or to where the reporting stopped.

Case No. 11766Murder · Co. Leitrim

IRA killing of two gardaí in Ballinamore marked 42 years on

The article marks 42 years since two gardaí, Pte Patrick Kelly and Garda recruit Gary Sheehan, were killed by the IRA during the 1983 Don Tidey kidnapping search near Ballinamore. No one was ever convicted for the killings.

  1. Reported
  2. Arrested
  3. Charged
  4. In court
  5. Verdict
  6. Sentenced
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
8 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatTwo gardaí were killed by the IRA during the Don Tidey kidnapping search. (leitrimobserver.ie)
  • whatThe captors opened fire on the gardaí, and Don Tidey escaped in the commotion. (leitrimobserver.ie)
  • whereThe killings took place in Derrada Woods outside Ballinamore. (leitrimobserver.ie)
  • whenThe killings took place in 1983. (leitrimobserver.ie)
  • causeThe gardaí were killed when they stumbled upon the IRA hideout during the search for Don Tidey. (leitrimobserver.ie)
  • investigationThe IRA men escaped despite the large number of gardaí and military personnel in the area. (leitrimobserver.ie)
  • sentenceNo one was ever convicted for the killing of the gardaí. (leitrimobserver.ie)
  • otherA monument was unveiled in Ballinamore town in 2024 to honour the two gardaí. (leitrimobserver.ie)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 16 Dec2025
    Otherleitrimobserver.ie, first report
    42 years on, the IRA’s killing of Gardaí in Ballinamore

    Anniversary feature on a 1983 killing; no arrests or convictions recorded, and the exact date of the killing is not given.

    victim, Patrick Kelly, 36, irish (judged from name)Patrick Kellyvictim, Gary Sheehan, 23, irish (judged from name)Gary Sheehan