Gardaí issue fresh appeal in Raonaid murder case

Gardaí have called on those who have doubts about an alibi they gave for someone investigated by gardaí in relation to the murder of teenager Raonaid Murray 15 years ago to come forward.

Detectives are also asking those who have information that could help in establishing a motive for the killing of the 17-year-old in south Dublin in 1999 to contact them in confidence.

Launching a fresh public appeal on the 15th anniversary of the murder, senior officers and the girl’s family “implored” people with information to call gardaí.

Detectives are conscious that, with the passage of time, family members and partners, including former partners of the killer may have developed suspicions and may be struggling with their consciences.

Investigators are aware that murders have often been solved many years later, after people close to killers — often former girlfriends — decide to talk to gardaí.

Raonaid was stabbed in a dark laneway near her home in Glenageary, south Dublin, shortly after midnight on September 4, 1999. The Leaving Cert student managed to walk a short distance towards her home before collapsing, to be discovered some 20 minutes later by her sister, Sarah.

Superintendent, Paul Moran of the Garda Press Office said yesterday: “The 4th of September 2014 is the 15th anniversary of the brutal murder of 17-year-old Raonaid Murray. The gardaí remain fully committed to the investigation into Raonaid’s murder.”

He said an incident room remained in place at Dún Laoghaire Garda Station and that the Serious Crime Review Team, the force’s cold case unit, continued to assist.

Supt Moran said: “Raonaid Murray worked at a clothes shop, then known as Sally West in Dún Laoghaire Shopping Centre,” said Supt Moran. “She left the shop at approximately 9pm on the 3rd of September 1999 and went with a friend to Scott’s Public House in Dún Laoghaire.”

He said she made arrangements with a friend to go to a nightclub later.

“She left Scott’s at approximately 11.20pm to go home and change before heading to the club. Her house is about a 15-minute walk from Scott’s Public House. Her body was then found at Silchester Crescent in Glenageary at 12.33am, Saturday, 4th September, 1999, less than 500 yards from her home,” he added.

“Extensive lines of inquiry have been and continue to be pursued” in the case, and he added that “if any person has any information which could assist in identifying a motive for the murder of Raonaid and/or if any person has any doubts about the veracity of an alibi provided, we would appeal for your immediate assistance.”

He said both the gardaí and Raonaid’s family “implore anyone with information” to contact Dún Laoghaire station at 6665032/6665012 or the Garda Confidential line at 1800 666 111.

“The solving of this murder is of the utmost priority for An Garda Síochána and any information received will be treated with absolute confidentiality,” he said.