Members of Odhrán’s family, including his mother Jacqui, were joined by hundreds of sympathisers, many wearing t-shirts bearing the 23-year-old’s image and holding banners and placards calling for ‘Justice for Odhrán’.
John O’Dowd, Sinn Fein MLA for Upper Bann, told those gathered that the community’s heart was broken at the death of a young man he described as “loving and caring”.
“This is an extremely sad occasion where we gather here tonight. We stand in solidarity with Odhrán’s family and friends,” he said.
“A young man’s life taken too soon and taken so cruelly.
“Our hearts are broken but we stand to comfort his friends and his loved ones.”
Balloons and floral tributes have been left in the area where the Craigavon Area Hospital nursing assistant’s body was found close to a burning car in the Maple Court early hours of Sunday morning.
His family had urged local people to join them and his friends to attend the vigil “to remember the loving, funny and caring, person he was”.
"We need to stand together and unite that no more of our precious children are taken so cruelly,” they said.
Police have issued an appeal urging three people captured on CCTV walking not far from the burning car to get in touch with them as soon as possible.
Anyone who was in the Edward Street or Francis Street areas of Lurgan between 2am and 5am on Sunday and noticed any suspicious activity, is asked to contact police on 101.
Information, including photos, CCTV and dashcam footage, can also be provided to police through the Major Incident Public Portal at https://mipp.police.uk
13. In loving memory
At Wednesday night's vigil for Lurgan murder victim Odhrán Kelly. Photo: Stephen Hamilton / Press Eye
14. In loving memory
A section of the large crowd which gathered in the rain in Lurgan near where Odhrán Kelly's body was found. Photo: Arthur Allison / PacemakerPress
15. Pacemaker Press 06-12-2023: The murder of a young man in County Armagh at the weekend is not believed to be linked to organised crime, police have said. The body of Odhr‡n Kelly, 23, was found beside a burning car in Maple Court in Lurgan in the early hours of Saturday. Just before 18:00 a crowd began to gather in the rain on Edward Street in Lurgan, where Odhr‡n Kelly's body was found on Sunday. Those attending the vigil for the 23-year-old have not been deterred by the weather. There are hundreds of people here but it is quiet, until a brief applause comes as blue and white balloons are released into the sky. Picture By: Arthur Allison: PacemakerPress.
Some of those who attended Wednesday night's vigil for Odhrán Kelly in Lurgan. Photo: Arthur Allison / Pacemaker Press