The family of murdered Nationalist councillor, Patsy Kelly hopes of having an inquest into his death almost 50 years ago have been shattered after been told it is unlikely that one will be head due to a lack of resources.

10 families were told last week that it would be difficult for conclusions to be reach before the UK government’s legacy bill comes into force in May 2024.

Mr. Kelly was last seen alive in the early hours of July 24, 1974 as he drove away from the Corner Bar in Trillick, Co. Tyrone, where he worked.

His body was found near Lisbellaw three weeks later on August 10. He had been shot six times.

Earlier this year, the Police Ombudsman for Northern Ireland found the RUC investigation into the murder of Mr. Kelly in 1974 was “wholly inadequate”, with the actions of some officers indicative of “collusive behaviour”.

Despite an initial request for an inquest being turned down by Attorney General, Dame Brenda King, this was reversed following a challenge by the family.

Speaking on behalf of Mr. Kelly’s family, his son, Patsy Jnr, said: “49 years of campaigning for truth has, for now, been halted in one judicial ruling.

“A new inquest into Patsy’s murder could easily be completed in five days. Our legal representatives in P Fahy & Co. Solicitors have worked tirelessly to compile all necessary documentation in advance in order to prove that proceedings could have been finished within such a short timescale.”

Patsy Jnr continued: “Lack of resources were cited as the reasoning behind the denial to our family. Perhaps if we hadn’t had to fight tooth & nail through endless court cases & had to fight for decades to gain access to findings of investigations that were being hidden from us that these resources may have been available?

“Ultimately, the denial of truth and justice is the work of the morally corrupt British government who have enacted their Legacy Bill of Shame.”

He said looked forward to the Irish government taking an inter-state case to scrap the Legacy Bill, adding the fight is not over: “And we also look forward to continuing civil proceedings against the police - this fight is not over.

“But for now, the anger and devastation at this decision is absolutely overwhelming.

“It is worth remembering that in April of this year Marie Anderson, Police Ombudsman, found that the police investigation was wholly inadequate and indicative of collusion behaviour. This compelled the Attorney General to order a fresh inquest.

“For the British government to close the door is wrong and corrupt. But this is what the British state do.”