Appeal for information on 20th anniversary of disappearance

The police have made a fresh appeal for information on the 20th anniversary of the disappearance of a County Down man.

Martin Kelly, from Holywood, went missing on New Year’s Day in 2006 after leaving a bar he had been at with friends to watch a football match.

The friends left Pat’s Bar in Garmoyle Street, Belfast, but Mr Kelly, who was 21 at the time, remained in the bar. He left at about 19:10 GMT and has not been seen since.

The PSNI have described Mr Kelly as about 6ft 1in tall and of slim build with short dark hair. He was wearing a black ‘Guinness’ T-shirt and blue jeans.

Det Insp Stephen Harvey said: “The disappearance of Martin has had a profound impact on his family.

“Martin, who worked as a plumber and a part-time bar man in the Priory Inn at Holywood, worked on New Year’s Eve 2005 and then went on to two house parties with friends.

“On New Year’s Day, he and his friends went to Pat’s Bar in Garmoyle Street to watch a football match.”

He said that police investigating Martin’s disappearance had carried out searches on land and on the water, deploying the diving team and air support team in these searches.

“We have also undertaken extensive enquiries but despite conducting a wide range of interviews and reviewing all available CCTV relating to the incident, Martin has not been located,” Det Insp Harvey added.

“We remain committed and determined to discovering what happened to Martin and detectives will continue to follow up all new lines of enquiry and any new information.

“We would urge anyone who may have knowledge of Martin’s disappearance to contact the Police Service of Northern Ireland.”