Gardaí have issued a fresh appeal for information to mark the tenth anniversary of the RAAD murder of Derry father-of-two, Andrew Allen.
From the Gobnascale area of Derry, Mr Allen (24) was shot dead at the home he shared with his partner, Arlene Farley in Buncrana, County Donegal on February 9, 2012. The victim was shot through the front door of the house and died at the scene.
While no-one has ever been charged with the murder, Gardaí revealed yesterday that 700 lines of inquiry had been followed up in the last ten years.
Mr Allen’s murder came six months after he was ordered to leave Derry by vigilante group, Republican Action Against Drugs (RAAD). RAAD later claimed responsibility for his murder, alleging he was involved in the drugs trade, a claim which was denied by both Mr Allen’s family and the Gardaí.
RAAD subsequently merged with a number of other republican paramilitary organisations to form the dissident New IRA.
A Garda spokesman said detectives believed there were still people in Buncrana and Derry city with information which could assist the investigation into Mr Allen’s murder.
“Six people have been arrested and questioned during the course of this investigation with up to 700 lines of inquiry followed over the past ten years. An Garda Síochána are grateful for all those who have assisted the investigation,” the spokesman said.
Detectives continued to work with the PSNI in the investigation of what the spokesman described as “this heinous murder”. He said any assistance received could be instrumental in bringing the murder investigation to a successful conclusion. The spokesman urged anyone with information to contact Buncrana Garda station or the Garda confidential line.
