Kilmeague deceased’s grandfather was murdered by loyalists in 1975
Kilmeague Shooting, Naas, Kildare_29-Dec-2012
The man who was killed in a shooting incident in Kilmeague last Saturday is the second member of his family to die violently.
Edward ‘Ned’ Hamilton, 33, was shot dead just before 6am on Saturday, December 29 at a house in Ballintine, Kilmeague.
It is believed that he was shot by the owner of the house, who was also injured in the incident.
It is understood he lost his thumb.
A legally held shotgun, which Gardai believe was the weapon used, has been recovered.
It is understood that Gardai are maintaining an open mind as to why the gun was initially produced, but appear to accept that it was discharged accidentally.
Garda sources say the shooter, a man in his 50s, may not have been aware that the gun was loaded.
He was taken to St. James Hospital where he remains at the time of writing.
Meanwhile Mr. Hamilton was taken to Naas General Hospital where he was pronounced dead on arrival.
The house was sealed off by Gardai for technical examination.
It is understood that the two men were amongst a number of people in the house who had spent the night drinking.
Mr. Hamilton was originally from Caragh and lived in Rathangan in the past.
His father is a Donadea native and his mother is from Ardclough.
Her father, the deceased’s grandfather, 48-year-old Christy Phelan, was killed on June 22, 1975 when he intercepted a group of loyalists who were planting a bomb on the railway line at nearby Baronrath.
It was reported at the time that the bomb was intended to derail a train carrying people going to the Wolfe Tone commemoration at Bodenstown.
Mr Hamilton was known to Gardai and was associated with senior drugs and crime figures in the north west Kildare area. Amongst his associates were the late Andy Barry, 30 and Lithuanian Zilvinas Varnauskas, 31, who were murdered in Kilcock last March.
Kilmeague locals say that the picturesque village has a significant drugs problem.
To many locals the incident is simply a terrible tragedy.
Cllr. Seamus Langan said his thoughts and prayers were with the family, friends and neighbours of the deceased.
And Allen PP Fr. Eddie Moore said that locals were shocked by the events of the past weekend, and were full of sympathy for the Ennis family, in whose home the incident occured.
At the time of writing there were no details of funeral arrangements.
It’s understood the deceased’s remains will be released today, Thursday, January 3.
- Conor McHugh
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Friday 24 May 2013
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