Patrick Kielty became emotional while discussing his father's death in a new BBC documentary exploring Northern Ireland's past and future. The TV presenter returned to his homeland for the film, which examines the impact of the Troubles and recent unrest linked to post-Brexit tensions.
Kielty's father, Jack, was shot dead by loyalist paramilitaries in January 1988 at the age of 44. In the documentary, Kielty recalled how his father, a builder, had refused to pay protection money and reported threats to the police, making him a target. 'My dad wasn't involved in politics... he died for nothing,' Kielty said.
Reflecting on the current violence in Northern Ireland, Kielty wiped away tears as he said: 'It makes me sad and it makes me angry because we signed a peace agreement and now we're back trying to square a circle that we'd already found the answer to. People here shouldn't have to do this twice.'
The documentary, titled 'Patrick Kielty: One Hundred Years of Union', is available on BBC iPlayer.
