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| Mick McElkenny describes the "unusual position" he held in being part of the security detail for two people who ended up being murdered - JFK and Lord Mountbatten |
JFK's former bodyguard has spoken out about the day the US President was shot dead in 1963.
Mick McElkenny talked of his shock on hearing the news in 1963 - just two months after guarding the president on a visit to Ireland.
The 86-year-old from Washing Bay in Co Tyrone, who features in a new documentary, also protected the Queen's cousin, Lord Mountbatten, before his assassination by the IRA in 1979.
Mr McElkenny describes the "unusual position" he held in being part of the security detail for two people who ended up being murdered.
In the programme, the former bodyguard's anecdotes highlight how dangerous the job is and his own coincidental story about John F Kennedy's assassination and the link between the president's driver and Ireland.
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| Retired Garda sergeant Mick McElkenny, 86, recalled his time guarding JFK just two months before the US President was shot dead |
Mr McElkenny was driving through Stewartstown - the same town Kennedy's driver on that day in Dallas was originally from - when he heard the news.
"Isn't that a coincidence?" Mr McElkenny said about the historic moment 55 years ago.
"I was driving through Stewartstown, which is four miles from here, and I had the radio on and there was a newsflash that John F was shot.
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| Kennedy visited Ireland - the country of his grandfather's birth - in 1963 |
Mr McElkenny, who trained as a sniper with the Irish Army before joining the Garda, was selected to protect several high-profile figures.
Along with JFK and Mountbatten, he also protected Pope John Paul II.
Describing his time with the former president, Mr McElkenny added: "We had a wonderful time guarding the president.
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| The former army sniper described guarding JFK as a wonderful time in his life |
"He was a very humorous person, and everybody adored him, and they all listened to his speeches. He was lovely to listen to."
He also recalls his joy after being chosen to be part of Kennedy's entourage.
"It was a great lift for me. I was delighted. And the people that all came out that time, it was unbelievable."
Mr McElkenny recalled a story JFK told about how life could have taken a very different path if his Irish ancestors had not set sail for America.
"He told one about if his grandfather hadn't left New Ross in Co Wexford that he would have been working over in the factory in New Ross," he laughed.
