Ireland

Family of murdered teenager Raonaid Murray in new appeal 20 years after her death

Raonaid Murray who was attacked as she made her way home in the early hours of September 4 1999 
Raonaid Murray who was attacked as she made her way home in the early hours of September 4 1999  Raonaid Murray who was attacked as she made her way home in the early hours of September 4 1999 

The father of a murdered teenager has urged her killer to come out of the shadows and "confess your crime".

Raonaid Murray was attacked as she made her way home in the early hours of September 4 1999.

The 17-year-old was last seen alive at around 11.20pm the previous night as she made her way home from Dun Laoghaire town centre.

Her body was found the following day at Silchester Crescent in Glenageary at 12.30am, less than 500 yards from her home.

Marking the 20th anniversary of her brutal murder, her family said they feel the pain of her loss every day.

Speaking on behalf of her mother Deirdre, brother Daniel and sister Sarah, her father Jim said that Raonaid died alone on the pavement with no loving or caring person there to comfort her.

"With her dying breath, she struggled to finish that journey but died within a short distance from her home," he said.

"Recently we were looking through some of Raonaid's things and glimpsed again the young woman our child was becoming.

"There was still that beautiful fresh innocence of youth on the threshold of adulthood with all the excitement, wonder and possibility that brings with it.

"For a brief moment she was ours again, without this horrific shadow hanging over her.

"Raonaid's killer is free. That freedom mocks what should have been Raonaid's life, and mocks the horror of her death.

"To her killer we say come out of the shadows and own up to what you have done. Do the right thing and confess your crime.

"It's 20 years since Raonaid was murdered, but to us her awful death is still vivid in our minds and we feel the pain of her loss every day.

"We feel that the memory of that time will still be vivid for others as well. The gardai has assured us their continuing commitment to bring the killer to justice but they need your help.

"At the start of the investigation there were reports of sightings of people who were in the area at the time of Raonaid's murder.

"Some of these people have never come forward and we ask them now to contact the gardai.

"We ask anyone who as yet has any undisclosed information to give that information to the gardai and help us find Raonaid's murderer.

"Time has not lessened our sense of grief and loss, it's sent it deeper and made it more profound. Raonaid died alone and frightened, her killer is free.

"For Raonaid's sake help find her murderer and get the justice for her that she deserves. Please help us by coming forward now."

Despite a large number of suspects having been identified during the course of the investigation, gardai say there is no prime suspect.

A spokesman for the gardai said that the lack of a prime suspect arises from the fact that there has been no motive identified in the case.

"In over 3,400 witness statements there is not one word of enmity towards Raonaid," the gardai spokesman said.

"If any person has any information which could assist in identifying a motive for the murder of Raonaid and if any person has any doubts about the veracity of an alibi already provided, we would appeal for your immediate assistance.

"You may be unknowingly shielding a killer."

Anyone with information is asked to contact the Garda incident room at Dun Laoghaire Garda station on 01-6665000 or the Garda confidential line on 1800 666 111.