Colm Fitzpatrick
Fr Joe McVeigh at the launch of his booklet on the murder of his cousin Michael Leonard.
Photo: Irish News A Fermanagh-based priest has launched a ground-breaking report into the death of his cousin, decades after he was killed by the RUC.
Michael Leonard, the cousin of Fr Joe McVeigh of St Michael’s parish, was shot by the police on May 17, 1973 while driving. He was 24-years-old, a farmer and cattle-dealer, living in Donegal.
In response to the discovery of new, critical evidence which proves that the RUC patrol fired three deliberate shots at Mr Leonard, Fr McVeigh wrote the report and is seeking support for an immediate criminal investigation and proper inquest.
He said: “I hope to get support especially from within the Church in our search for truth and justice for Michael. The family demands an immediate criminal investigation and new inquest.”