GARDAÍ have called on people “on the periphery” of the group involved in the 2008 murder of Strabane man Andrew Burns to reveal what they know about his death.
Mr Burns (27), who was a member of the then Real IRA, was shot dead in the car park of St Columba’s church in the border village of Donnyloop, Castlefin on February 12 2008.
One person, Martin Kelly, also from Strabane, is serving a life sentence for his role in the murder after he was convicted in 2012. However, gardaí believe up to 12 people were involved.
In a new appeal marking the 14th anniversary, Donegal Garda detective inspector Pat O’Donnell said Mr Burns’ family remained devastated by what he described as “this heinous act”.
"An Garda Síochána in Donegal would like to directly appeal to those individuals who were on the periphery of the group involved in Andrew’s murder, in particular, their friends, family members and partners," he said.
“It has been 14 years since Andrew’s murder and during that time relationships change, loyalties change and people may not now be constrained by the set of circumstances that existed for them some 14 years ago.”
He appealed to anyone with information to examine “their conscience” and to “unburden” themselves of whatever information they may have.
“It is never too late for those who have yet to come forward to make contact with An Garda Síochána,” he said.
