Former MLA and IRA activist dies

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Former Sinn Fein member John Kelly has died aged 71, following a period of illness.

The Belfast-born republican was jailed three times for IRA activities, serving 15 years in prisons in Northern Ireland and the Republic.

He was among the radical Irish republicans who formed the Provisional IRA in the 1970s.

He appeared in the dock with future taoiseach Charles Haughey over a plot to smuggle arms to Northern Ireland.

The case later collapsed.

Mr Kelly, a father of one, won a seat on Magherafelt District Council in 1997 and became a Mid-Ulster assembly member in 1998.

He later left the party citing increased central control and ceased being active in politics.