The father of missing Martin Kelly will mark 16 years since his New Year’s Day disappearance at Belfast Harbour today.
Holywood man Raymond Kelly has made the pilgrimage in honour of his outgoing, fun loving son every year since he was last seen in 2006.
He is convinced the 21-year-old just “didn’t disappear” when he never returned home after drinks at Pat’s Bar all those years ago.
But subsequent searches on land, underwater and by air failed to find him.
Raymond has also thanked those who still turn out every New Year’s Day in memory of Martin and in support of his ongoing quest to see his son’s missing persons case solved.
Today he is calling on anyone with information about what happened Martin that fateful night to come forward.
Raymond said: “Sixteen years on and nothing.
“There’s people out there with information that still haven’t come forward with it.
“I believe there’s people that know what happened and I want them to come forward.
“He didn’t just leave the bar and disappear. He left the bar and came back into the bar.”
Raymond says his son was spotted leaving Pat’s Bar by the side door at the Clarendon Dock entrance around 7.30pm on January 1, 2006 by CCTV.
He was then picked up heading towards the walkway towards the other side of the Odyssey and that was the last time he was seen on camera.
It is understood that two people were interviewed in relation to Martin’s case after a call to the Missing Persons hotline.
PSNI Detective Inspector Keith Wilson said: “Enquiries were conducted in June 2020 following the sharing of information with Police Service of Northern Ireland regarding the open investigation into the disappearance of Martin Kelly, who went missing from Belfast in January 2006.
“Unfortunately, there were no credible leads at that time, and there hasn’t been any new information since.
“Police are fully aware of the impact of Martin’s disappearance on his family and have continued to appeal for information in connection with this case,” he added.
“We urge anyone who has in the past provided information anonymously or otherwise, to please consider getting back in touch.
Information can be given to detectives by calling 101, or the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111, or Missing People on 116 000.”
