TRIBUTES have been paid to former Belfast City Councillor Larry Kennedy on the 45th anniversary of his murder.
Larry Kennedy was murdered by the UFF on 8 October 1981, just months after being elected to Belfast City Council. At the time the Andersonstown News reported that he was gunned down as he left a fundraising event in the Shamrock Club in Ardoyne.
His contribution to Ardoyne, however, stretched back many years before he entered City Hall.
Larry was one of the founders of Shamrock Sports and Social Club and played a major role in building community life in Ardoyne and the Bone. He dedicated huge amounts of his time to supporting families, children and older people, creating opportunities, helping charitable causes and providing practical support during some of the most difficult years experienced by the community.
His work included organising annual outings to the Ould Lammas Fair for hundreds of pensioners, supporting local charities and helping to organise Christmas events and activities for children, including those connected with the Gateway Project.
For many years the Shamrock Club has campaigned for greater public acknowledgement of Larry’s contribution to Ardoyne and to Belfast.
As part of efforts to ensure that contribution is properly recognised, Independent Councillors Paul McCusker and Paul Doherty organised a meeting with Lord Mayor Róis-Máire Donnelly to discuss the importance of remembering Larry and his service to the city.
Paul Carson, Secretary of Shamrock Sports and Social Club, said: “On behalf of Chairman Jim McAlinden, the committee and members of Shamrock Sports & Social Club Ard-Eoin, we have campaigned for many years for a proper public acknowledgement of Larry Kennedy, particularly as we mark the 45th anniversary of his cruel murder at our club.
“Larry was one of the founders of Shamrock and made an enormous contribution to Ardoyne, the Bone and the wider city.
“He dedicated so much of his life to helping others, young and old alike, from organising annual bus runs to the Ould Lammas Fair for hundreds of pensioners, to supporting charities and Christmas events for children from the Gateway Project.
“It means a great deal to us that Independent Councillors Paul McCusker and Paul Doherty have taken this forward and organised a meeting with the Lord Mayor to discuss the importance of properly recognising Larry and the contribution he made.
“As it says on his headstone: ‘Larry, you will never be forgotten'.
“He certainly will never be forgotten by the Shamrock Club or by the people he loved in Ardoyne and the Bone.”
Independent Councillor Paul McCusker said: “Today, as we mark the 45th anniversary of the death of Larry Kennedy, it is fitting that we remember and honour a man whose dedication, commitment and service left a lasting impact on the Ardoyne community.
“During some of the most difficult and challenging times faced by local people, Larry worked tirelessly on behalf of the community. He was a strong advocate for those in need, always willing to offer support, guidance and practical help to families and individuals throughout Ardoyne.
“Although not born into the area, Larry became part of an adopted family in Ardoyne. The friendships he built and the bonds he formed reflected the deep connection he had with the community and the genuine care he showed for its people.
“Larry was also a founding member of the Shamrock Social Club, helping to establish an important community institution that provided a place for people to come together, socialise and support one another. His contribution to the club’s foundation remains an important part of his legacy.
“Today we pay tribute to Larry Kennedy, remembering with gratitude his hard work after his brutal murder 45 years ago, his selfless commitment and his enduring contribution to the people of Ardoyne. May his memory continue to live on in the community he served so faithfully.”
Independent Councillor Paul Doherty added: “45 years after his murder, Larry Kennedy is still remembered in Ardoyne because he made a real difference to people’s lives.
"He was a committed community representative who gave his time and energy to standing up for local families and improving the area he served.
"My father’s family are from Ardoyne and I grew up hearing the respect people had for Larry and the work he did. That respect has endured for more than four decades, and that tells you everything about the impact he made.
"I was proud to stand alongside fellow Independent Councillor Paul McCusker to mark this important anniversary and to honour a man whose life was taken far too soon while serving this city.
"But remembrance cannot simply be about words once a year.
"Belfast City Hall should have a permanent memorial to those elected representatives who lost their lives while serving as councillors.
"Their names should have a permanent place at the heart of Belfast.”
