Readers of this page may recall former President Mary McAleese’s tribute to Martin McGuinness when he passed away just over one month ago. 'Thank you,’ she said, speaking on RTÉ Radio. ‘Thank you for helping to construct a future that our grandchildren can look forward to.'

In the intervening period, the legacy of the former Northern Ireland Assembly Deputy First Minister and IRA commander has been parsed and analysed in many quarters. But as his headstone was unveiled at the Republican Plot in Derry City Cemetery on Easter Sunday, the reference inscribed on it, specifically the words "óglach Martin McGuinness, Óglaigh na hÉireann" have caused deep upset in some quarters.

This reference is particularly galling to David Kelly, whose father Private Patrick Kelly, a member of the Irish army, was killed by the IRA while searching for kidnapped supermarket executive Don Tidey in 1983. David described the IRA's use of the phrase "Óglaigh na hÉireann" to remember one of their leaders as "gut-wrenching".

"Óglaigh na hÉireann – that's what it said on his cap badge when he was riddled by machine gun fire."

Óglaigh na hÉireann has various literal translations, including young men of Ireland, or volunteers of Ireland. It is also understood by many to mean, quite simply, Soldiers of Ireland, and has been used by various Republican groups, including the Provisional IRA.

But in official terms, Óglaigh na hÉireann is used in reference to the Irish Defence Forces, in which Private Patrick Kelly served. And it is this perceived co-option of the phrase that has caused such upset to his son, David Kelly.

David was on Liveline, telling Joe Duffy in chilling detail about the night his father was killed. The IRA described it at the time as a "friendly fire" incident, but David dismissed that claim as black propaganda, telling Joe that he has heard from people who were present on the night – including the man who was standing beside his father when he was shot – and, though not many people know it, he said, Patrick Kelly was machine gunned "from his ankles to his neck". A young Garda recruit, Gary Sheehan, was also killed that night.

An audibly-upset David recounted how the kidnappers took army personnel and gardaí hostage and threatened to shoot the man kneeling beside his dying father. "And they have the audacity to call themselves Óglaigh na hÉireann".

You can listen back to David's full call, as well as other callers' views on Martin McGuinness's headstone, here.

Photo Credit: Jeff J Mitchell/Getty Image