Patrick Kielty was just 16 when his father was murdered by paramilitary gunmen in Northern Ireland.
Liverpool’s spectacular Champions League victory over Manchester City would have been the main event on TV screens throughout Ireland on Wednesday night, but there was a fascinating documentary on the BBC that’s well worth catching up on if you didn’t see it first time around.
Patrick Kielty is well known to audiences in Ireland and beyond for his comedy, but he broached a far more serious topic in My Dad, the Peace Deal and Me, released to mark the 20th anniversary of The Good Friday Agreement this month.
In the documentary, Kielty addresses the death of his father at the hands of paramilitary gunmen when Kielty was just 16 years old and reveals that his family were offered the opportunity to exact revenge for the murder, an offer that was refused “in no uncertain terms”.
In the documentary, Kielty meets with others affected by violence during the Troubles and speaks with Arlene Foster as he examines the potential impact of Brexit in the border counties and how it has brought the peace deal back into the spotlight.
The good news for those who didn’t see it on Wednesday night is that it’s on again on BBC Two Northern Ireland at 11.20pm tonight (Thursday); judging by the initial reaction to it, it will be well worth a watch.
Have made a film about home. And hope. It’s on BBC1 tonight at 9pm. Be lovely if you could check it out. pic.twitter.com/g0tTCcLwBi
— Patrick Kielty (@PatricKielty) April 4, 2018
Really impressive documentary from Patrick Kielty tonight. Those with heels dug in on both sides should reflect on his and others desire to move on. Big plug for Integrated education.
Well done Patrick you nailed it at so many levels.— Trevor Lunn (@TrevorLunnLV) April 4, 2018
Well, take a bow Patrick Kielty. A geninely insightful doc into N.Ireland. And his testimony about accepting his father's killers release for prison – without forgiving them – was important and fascinating to hear
— Harry Wallop (@hwallop) April 4, 2018
https://twitter.com/alstewitn/status/981638590554955776
Patrick Kielty’s on the Troubles & the Goid Friday Agreement is excellent, challenging & insightful with powerful interviews with people at the heart of it all.
Good to see Mo Mowlem again too; what frontline politician has comparable stature to her now?
— Joel Taylor (@JoelTaylorhack) April 4, 2018
https://twitter.com/JeyyLowe/status/981630666034089984
Excellent programme about Northern Ireland and the Good Friday Agreement with Patrick Kielty. I hope it was watched by @Jacob_Rees_Mogg , @BorisJohnson and those who think the good Friday Agreement has had its Day and that a border in NI is acceptable & not a significant issue.
— Professor Ian Donald (@iandonald_psych) April 4, 2018
https://twitter.com/NualaPetticrew/status/981631133359198210
My Dad, the Peace Deal and Me
This is simply outstanding.
Patrick Kielty, comic & son of a man murdered in the Troubles, reviews what has happened since the Good Friday Agreement.
How we can even thinking about throwing away what was achieved in the GFA is beyond me.
— Aunty Janet #FBPE 🇺🇦 (@scarlettpeach) April 4, 2018
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