Hermann Kelly

Kelly was born on 25 December 1968{{Citation |title=Áine Duffy meets Hermann Kelly, Irish Freedom Party. Former journalist, Director of Communications |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XZnW8CcgN3A |language=en |access-date=2022-07-10}} and is originally from the Bogside in Derry.{{cite news|url=https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/life/features/hermann-kelly-i-believe-ireland-both-north-and-south-is-better-off-outside-the-european-union-37393326.html|title=Hermann Kelly: I believe Ireland, both North and South, is better off outside the European Union|publisher=Belfast Telegraph|first=Lindy|last=McDowell|date=8 Oct 2018 |access-date=7 November 2018|archive-date=7 November 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181107104041/https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/life/features/hermann-kelly-i-believe-ireland-both-north-and-south-is-better-off-outside-the-european-union-37393326.html|url-status=live}} His father was a headmaster of a primary school in Creggan, his mother was a nurse who emigrated from Australia and he has three siblings.

His secondary education was at St Columb's College, Derry. He then studied marine biology in Edinburgh before studying theology as a lay student at St. Patrick's College, Maynooth. He briefly worked as a teacher in Dublin.

As a journalist, Kelly was a contributing columnist to the Irish Examiner, and also wrote for the Irish Mail on Sunday. Following the resignation of editor Simon Rowe in mid-2004, Kelly was briefly acting editor (and later deputy editor) of The Irish Catholic.{{cite web|url = http://www.pressgazette.co.uk/story.asp?storyCode=27281§ioncode=1 | title = Ireland's leading religious weekly appoints editor| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20110616182726/http://www.pressgazette.co.uk/story.asp?storyCode=27281§ioncode=1 |archive-date=16 June 2011 | publisher = Press Gazette | date = 26 November 2004 }}

In 2007, Kelly wrote a book titled Kathy's Real Story which disputed the claims made in a book by Kathy O'Beirne (Don't Ever Tell), in which O'Beirne described childhood abuse she had reputedly suffered in a Magdalene asylum.{{cite web|url = http://archives.tcm.ie/irishpost/2008/02/20/story7050.asp | title = Feud between warring authors to hot up| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20110622121254/http://archives.tcm.ie/irishpost/2008/02/20/story7050.asp |archive-date=22 June 2011 | publisher = The Irish Post | date = 20 February 2008}} Kelly claimed that initial doubts that he had while reading her book were confirmed by inconsistencies in different accounts which O'Beirne had given, and later confirmed by various witnesses and documentary evidence.{{cite news|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/features/3635834/Mis-lit-Is-this-the-end-for-the-misery-memoir.html|title=Mis lit: Is this the end for the misery memoir?|last=West|first=Ed|date=5 March 2008|work=The Telegraph |access-date=19 May 2009 |archive-date=21 January 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180121234414/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/features/3635834/Mis-lit-Is-this-the-end-for-the-misery-memoir.html|url-status=live}} He also claimed that false allegations were being made by those appearing before the Residential Institutions Redress Board in order to receive compensation.

A review by Gene Kerrigan (who worked alongside Michael Sheridan, O'Beirne's co-author) criticised Kelly's own criticism of O'Beirne's book.{{cite news|url=http://www.independent.ie/national-news/both-sides-in-the-bad-books-after-bustup-1216744.html|title=Both sides in the bad books after bust-up|last=Kerrigan|first=Gene|date=11 November 2007|publisher=Independent News and Media|work=Independent.ie |access-date=19 May 2009 |archive-date=3 November 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091103211100/http://www.independent.ie/national-news/both-sides-in-the-bad-books-after-bustup-1216744.html|url-status=live}} Kelly and O'Beirne both appeared on Ireland AM to discuss their books in November 2007, and the encounter ended in an argument.{{cite web | url = http://www.derryjournal.com/journal/Derry-author-in-live-TV.3461106.jp | title = Derry author in live TV dust-up | publisher = Derry Journal | date = 9 November 2007 | access-date = 19 May 2009 | archive-date = 10 January 2008 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20080110210700/http://www.derryjournal.com/journal/Derry-author-in-live-TV.3461106.jp | url-status = live }}

Kelly also wrote to the proposed publishers of a sequel by O'Beirne, sending them a copy of Kathy's Real Story and asking them not to publish. A Sunday Times article of July 2009 indicated that the publisher had withdrawn their initial offer to publish her book because of an "unresolved legal issue".{{cite web |url=http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/ireland/article6727909.ece |title=Times Online |access-date=2 January 2014 |archive-date=27 September 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210927162351/https://www.thetimes.co.uk/ |url-status=dead }}

Kelly was formerly a press officer for Nigel Farage, and the director of communications for Europe of Freedom and Direct Democracy (EFDD), of which Farage was co-president.{{cite web | url = https://www.channel4.com/press/news/hermann-kelly-interview | publisher = Channel 4 | website = channel4.com | title = Hermann Kelly Interview | date = 14 May 2018 | access-date = 31 August 2020 | quote = I have worked as a teacher, then became a journalist, and then became Press Officer for Nigel Farage | archive-date = 27 September 2021 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20210927162351/https://www.channel4.com/press/news/hermann-kelly-interview | url-status = live }}{{cite web|url = http://www.efdgroup.eu/the-group/staff.html | title = The Group – Staff | website = EDFgroup.eu | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20100603215818/http://www.efdgroup.eu/the-group/staff.html |archive-date=3 June 2010 }} The EFDD dissolved in mid-2019.{{cite news |url=https://www.politico.eu/article/brexit-party-nigel-farage-fails-to-form-political-group-in-european-parliament/ |title=Brexit Party misses first deadline to form political group in European Parliament |work=Politico Europe |first=Maïa |last=de la Baume |date=26 June 2019 |access-date=4 July 2019 |quote=Several Parliament officials said that Farage's former "Europe of Freedom and Direct Democracy" group had not been added to the official list. "Farage and 5Star doesn't have a group," said one official, referring to Italy's 5Star movement which was also part of the EFDD. |archive-date=5 February 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210205110034/https://www.politico.eu/article/brexit-party-nigel-farage-fails-to-form-political-group-in-european-parliament/ |url-status=live }} In a 2023 Irish Times article, Farage described Kelly as a "big strong strapping Paddy".{{Cite news |date=23 September 2023|title=A ‘proper f***ing lunch’ with Nigel Farage|url=https://www.irishtimes.com/life-style/2023/09/23/nigel-farage-on-leo-varadkar-we-had-some-fun-once-or-twice-and-he-even-asked-me-for-a-selfie/|newspaper=The Irish Times}}

Kelly supports Ireland leaving the European Union (an 'Irexit'), and is the president of the far-right Irish Freedom Party, which advocates the same position.{{cite news|url=https://www.thejournal.ie/irexit-freedom-party-launch-4220678-Sep2018/|title=A party is being launched today that's calling for Ireland to leave the EU |publisher=TheJournal.ie |first=Gráinne |last=Ní Aodha |date=8 Sep 2018 |access-date=7 November 2018|archive-date=7 November 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181107104106/https://www.thejournal.ie/irexit-freedom-party-launch-4220678-Sep2018/|url-status=live}} He contested the 2019 European Parliament election in the Dublin constituency,{{Cite web|url=https://dublincountyreturningofficer.com/|title=Home|website=dublincountyreturningofficer.com|access-date=2019-04-10|archive-date=10 April 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190410175403/https://dublincountyreturningofficer.com/|url-status=live}} receiving 2,441 (0.67%) first preference votes and was eliminated on the fourth count.{{cite web | url = https://electionsireland.org/result.cfm?election=2019E&cons=524 | publisher = Elections Ireland | website = electionsireland.org | title = European Election: 24 May 2019, Dublin, European Parliament | access-date = 29 May 2019 | archive-date = 1 June 2019 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20190601083732/https://www.electionsireland.org/result.cfm?election=2019E&cons=524 | url-status = live }}

As of 2021 Kelly was press officer to Romanian MEP Cristian Terheș of the European Conservatives and Reformists group, who has consistently declined to show an EU Digital COVID Certificate or proof of COVID-19 testing upon entering the European Parliament.{{cite web|url = https://www.irishtimes.com/news/ireland/irish-news/irexit-leader-wages-war-on-covid-19-certs-in-role-paid-by-eu-1.4747332| publisher = The Irish Times | website= IrishTimes.com| title = Irexit leader wages war on Covid-19 certs in role paid by EU | date = 6 December 2021 | access-date = 15 March 2022 }}

Kelly unsuccessfully contested the Midlands–North-West constituency at the 2024 European Parliament elections. He was eliminated on the thirteenth count, with 13,904 (2.04%) first-preference votes.{{cite web|url = https://www.irishtimes.com/politics/2024/04/03/complaint-made-about-alleged-altercation-involving-irish-freedom-party-leader-at-european-parliament/| publisher = The Irish Times | website= IrishTimes.com| title = Hermann Kelly alleged to have knocked phone out of journalist's hand at European Parliament | date = 3 April 2024 | access-date = 14 April 2024}}{{cite web|url=https://www.rte.ie/news/elections-2024/results/#/european/midlands-north-west|title=European Elections: Midlands North-West|work=RTÉ News |access-date=15 June 2024}}

Kelly was a candidate for the Irish Freedom Party in the Louth constituency at the 2024 general election.{{cite news|title = Irish Freedom Party President Hermann Kelly has announced he will contest the next General Election in the Louth constituency|url = https://www.dundalkdemocrat.ie/news/general-election/1601909/irish-freedom-party-president-hermann-kelly-has-announced-he-will-contest-the-next-general-election-in-the-louth-constituency.html|work = Dundalk Democrat|date = 11 September 2024|access-date = 17 October 2024}} He was eliminated on the fourteenth count, having polled 2,546 first-preferences (4.0%).{{cite web|url = https://www.irishtimes.com/politics/2024/11/30/election-2024-louth-constituency-results/ | work = Irish Times | title = Election 2024: Louth results | date = 1 December 2024 | accessdate = 1 December 2024 }}

Kelly advocates for Ireland to leave the European Union and for a united Ireland.{{cite web|date=21 November 2014|title=PR man for Ukip Hermann Kelly in favour of a united Ireland|url=https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/northern-ireland/pr-man-for-ukip-hermann-kelly-in-favour-of-a-united-ireland-30764711.html|access-date=31 August 2020|website=belfasttelegraph.co.uk|publisher=Belfast Telegraph|archive-date=8 November 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201108114217/https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/northern-ireland/pr-man-for-ukip-hermann-kelly-in-favour-of-a-united-ireland-30764711.html|url-status=live}} Kelly is economically liberal,{{Cite news|date=8 October 2018|title=Hermann Kelly: I believe Ireland, both North and South, is better off outside the European Union|language=en-GB|work=Belfast Telegraph|url=https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/life/features/hermann-kelly-i-believe-ireland-both-north-and-south-is-better-off-outside-the-european-union-37393326.html|access-date=31 August 2020|issn=0307-1235|archive-date=25 October 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201025175212/https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/life/features/hermann-kelly-i-believe-ireland-both-north-and-south-is-better-off-outside-the-european-union-37393326.html|url-status=live}} and has questioned the financial cost of Ireland's EU contributions.{{Cite news|title=Letter to the editor – EU and potential debt liability|publisher=Irish Times|work=irishtimes.com|url=https://www.irishtimes.com/opinion/letters/eu-and-potential-debt-liability-1.4349898|date=9 September 2020|access-date=10 September 2020|archive-date=10 May 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210510143358/https://www.irishtimes.com/opinion/letters/eu-and-potential-debt-liability-1.4349898|url-status=live}}

His party, the Irish Freedom Party, is anti-abortion, pro-natalist and "supportive of stable families for procreation".{{cite news |last1=Tobin |first1=Sharon |title='Irexit' group seeking to register as political party |url=https://www.rte.ie/news/politics/2018/0908/992473-irexit-freedom-party/ |website=RTÉ News |date=8 September 2018 |access-date=31 August 2020 |archive-date=9 November 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201109024352/https://www.rte.ie/news/politics/2018/0908/992473-irexit-freedom-party/ |url-status=live }} Kelly has described his views as representing "Irish Catholic nationalism".{{cite web | url = https://www.thetimes.com/world/europe/article/is-ireland-ready-for-a-dose-of-farage-style-politics-8g9rw5w8r | website = The Times | title = Is Ireland ready for a dose of Farage-style politics? | date = 9 September 2018 | access-date = 31 August 2020 | quote = [Kelly] says his views reflect "Irish Catholic nationalism" | archive-date = 20 January 2021 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20210120235635/https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/is-ireland-ready-for-a-dose-of-farage-style-politics-8g9rw5w8r | url-status = live }}

Some outlets have linked Kelly with alt-right ideologies, pointing to a YouTube interview in which Kelly appeared alongside far-right British Loyalist and former British National Party member Jim Dowson.{{cite web|title=Ireland's Alt Right: The people building an empire online|url=https://www.businesspost.ie/politics/irelands-alt-right-446192|website=The Business Post|access-date=20 September 2019|archive-date=20 September 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190920112009/https://www.businesspost.ie/politics/irelands-alt-right-446192|url-status=live}} In the video Kelly stated that "[they want to] kill Irish kids and [..] replace them with every nationality who wants to come into our country",{{Cite web|title=YouTube source|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gw-wz4bLKRI&list=PLDk2ZNnXORakUlT9aVwM--FJfw8Wjj3Kc&index=40&t=0s|website=youtube.com|access-date=1 September 2020|archive-date=4 February 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210204004905/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gw-wz4bLKRI&list=PLDk2ZNnXORakUlT9aVwM--FJfw8Wjj3Kc&index=40&t=0s|url-status=live}} a statement which several news outlets associated with the white nationalist "great replacement" conspiracy theory.{{cite web | url = https://www.irishtimes.com/news/ireland/irish-news/how-the-far-right-is-exploiting-immigration-concerns-in-oughterard-1.4026612 | publisher = Irish Times | website = irishtimes.com | title = How the far-right is exploiting immigration concerns in Oughterard | access-date = 23 September 2019 | date = 16 October 2019 | quote = "The first thing they want to do is kill Irish kids and [they] want to replace them with every nationality who wants to come into our country," Irish Freedom Party leader Hermann Kelly [..said..] in an interview this year | archive-date = 15 February 2020 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20200215194714/https://www.irishtimes.com/news/ireland/irish-news/how-the-far-right-is-exploiting-immigration-concerns-in-oughterard-1.4026612 | url-status = live }} This followed a similar interview, in January 2019 with LifeSiteNews, in which Kelly denounced what he called the "great replacement of our children".{{cite web | url = https://www.irexitfreedom.ie/abortion-is-stain-that-should-be-removed-hermann-kelly/ | title = Abortion is 'stain' that 'should be removed' – Hermann Kelly | website = irexitfreedom.ie | access-date = 4 November 2019 | quote = Party media release referring earlier interview in which Kelly states "we must control the quality and number of economic migrants [..] we don't want the brutal demise or 'great replacement' of our children" | archive-date = 18 October 2019 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20191018184636/https://www.irexitfreedom.ie/abortion-is-stain-that-should-be-removed-hermann-kelly/ | url-status = live }} In a 2019 Twitter post, Kelly stated that "those talking about a Great Replacement in Ireland have a point".{{cite tweet |user= hermannkelly |number= 1168524545424351233 |date= 2 September 2019 |title= What a cheek! Not a word about incentivising talented and skilled Irish diaspora to come home. According to this, looks as if those talking about a Great Replacement in Ireland have a point. Who is doing the discrimination now? }} Later in 2019, Kelly stated that, before an Irish government could make policy changes which result in "population increases [..] immigration or otherwise, it must first consult the people of Ireland".{{Cite web|date=2019-09-10|title=Elections, Europe, and Irish Freedom: A Talk With Hermann Kelly|url=https://www.theburkean.ie/articles/2019/09/10/elections-europe-and-irish-freedom-a-talk-with-hermann-kelly|access-date=2020-08-31|website=The Burkean|language=en-US|archive-date=24 September 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200924174509/https://www.theburkean.ie/articles/2019/09/10/elections-europe-and-irish-freedom-a-talk-with-hermann-kelly|url-status=live}} He used the phrase "abort and import" to describe Sinn Féin immigration policy.{{Cite web |last=Youtube IFP Channel |first=see speech at 1min 45 sec |date=Dec 8, 2018 |title=Hermann Kelly speaks at Irexit Protest against UN Migration Pact |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MkF6-fVehMs |website=YOutube}} In interviews and Twitter posts, Kelly has stated that he does not support the idea of separate races or racial superiority,{{cite tweet |user=hermannkelly |number= 1288473732034572294 |date= 29 July 2020 |title= No I had a recorded discussion with Jim Dowson after he made a video [...] }} while also advocating for a "mono cultural society".{{cite tweet |user=hermannkelly |number= 1272624961845440512 |date= 15 June 2020 |title= A mono cultural society is high trust, low friction. A multicultural "society" is a recipe for endless agro and trouble }}{{cite web | url = https://www.irishtimes.com/news/ireland/irish-news/the-far-right-rises-its-growth-as-a-political-force-in-ireland-1.4358321 | publisher = Irish Times | website = irishtimes.com | title = The far right rises: Its growth as a political force in Ireland | date = 19 September 2020 | access-date = 5 October 2020 | quote = Hermann Kelly has advocated for a "monocultural" Irish society and been a proponent of the "great replacement", a conspiracy theory stating western governments are intentionally replacing their native populations with immigrants | archive-date = 3 October 2020 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20201003060840/https://www.irishtimes.com/news/ireland/irish-news/the-far-right-rises-its-growth-as-a-political-force-in-ireland-1.4358321 | url-status = live }}

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Category:1968 births

Category:20th-century journalists from Northern Ireland

Category:21st-century journalists from Northern Ireland

Category:Alumni of St Patrick's College, Maynooth

Category:Business Post people

Category:Irish Examiner people

Category:Irish eurosceptics

Category:Leaders of political parties in Ireland

Category:Living people

Category:Magill people

Category:Male non-fiction writers from Northern Ireland

Category:Media coverage of Catholic Church sexual abuse scandals

Category:Natalist politicians

Category:Newspaper editors from Northern Ireland

Category:People educated at St Columb's College

Category:Sunday Independent (Ireland) people

Category:Writers from Derry (city)