Cookstown pensioner says wrong men arrested for shooting her

Cookstown missionary, Maud Kells, has been having high-level discussions about the ongoing investigation into the shooting which nearly claimed her life.
Maud Kells moments after she was shot.Maud Kells moments after she was shot.
Maud Kells moments after she was shot.

Inspirational Maud - who has worked to help the people of Mulita for almost 50 years - is campaigning to have two “completely innocent” people, arrested in the wake of the shooting, freed from prison.

Ms Kells has revealed that the two people had worked for her, but had been wrongly detained by authorities in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

To date, two men believed to have been involved in the shooting have also been arrested, with attempts ongoing to locate a third person.

Maud Kells pictured at home in CookstownMaud Kells pictured at home in Cookstown
Maud Kells pictured at home in Cookstown

Maud told the MAIL she has been speaking by telephone with high-level government representatives regarding the arrest of her former workers.

“These are people who worked for me and they are completely innocent”, Maud explained.

“They are now in prison but I am delighted that the Governor has phoned me from the capital of Congo. He said he would do his best to get them released.

“I am hoping to talk to the head of the army later also. These people have suffered so much so hopefully there will be a more positive follow-up to that.”

Maud Kells moments after she was shot.Maud Kells moments after she was shot.
Maud Kells moments after she was shot.

Since returning home to Cookstown, Maud says she has received many gifts and donations from the local community.

“Everyone has been so supportive”, she continued.

“I could have been paralysed because of where I was shot, and it is a real miracle that I am here at all.”

Despite the terrifying ordeal, which took place in January, Maud says she “would love” to return to the Congo to finish building a nursery which will be used by hundreds of children. She is continuing to recover well from her injuries and is regaining her strength surrounded by her family and friends.