Gardaí have renewed their appeal for information to find the killer of 17-year-old Raonaid Murray, who was murdered 22 years ago.
Extensive lines of enquiry “have been and continue to be pursued” by the investigation team, according to a Garda statement on the anniversary of her death.
Although a “large number” of suspects were identified throughout the course of the investigation, there is “in reality no prime suspect”, it said.
The teenager was last seen alive on Friday, September 3rd in 1999, when she made her way home from Scott’s Public House in Dun Laoghaire town centre at approximately 11.20pm. She had arranged with a friend to go to a nightclub later that night and had left the pub to change her clothes.
The girl’s body was discovered at 12.33am in Silchester Crescent, Glenageary, less than 500 metres from her home. She had been stabbed to death with a knife.
That there is still no prime suspect after 22 years is attributed in large part to the lack of identifiable motive.
“In over 4,500 witness statements there is not one word of enmity towards Raonaid,” the statement added.
The Garda investigating team is appealing to anyone who may have information that could help solve the case, perhaps by identifying a motive for the murder.
“If any person has any doubts about the truth of an alibi already provided, we would appeal for your immediate assistance. You may unknowingly be shielding a killer.
“Many of those who were then Raonaid’s age are now parents themselves, some of whom may have children who are close to Raonaid’s age. We would ask them to reflect now, with the benefit of maturity and hindsight, on any information which may be of assistance to the investigation,” the statement went on.
On the 20th anniversary of her death, Raonaid’s father described the “horrific shadow” hanging over his family since her murder.
“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 gardaí have assured us of their continuing commitment to bring Raonaid’s killer to justice but they need your help,” he said.
