21/03/2012

'Someone Knows Who Killed Cairns,' Say Police

Police have said that they are convinced some people living in a village, where a teenager was beaten to death over a decade ago, know who carried out the crime.

Jonathan Cairns, from Ballykelly, was returning home from a night out in 24 April 1999 when he was killed. The 18-year-old's body was found in a shallow grave in Loughermore Forest, near his home, the next day.

Police have now re-opened the investigation, 13 years after his murder.

Police investigating the murder of the Ballykelly teen have said understanding the motive is the key to solving the crime.

Meanwhile the officer in charge of the inquiry, Det Ch Insp John McVea, said he was convinced some people in the village knew who had carried out the crime.

Mr McVea said even though the murder had taken place 13 years ago, people had "a moral and legal responsibility" to tell the police what they knew.

Police are appealing for local residents to think back to the time of the murder. They believe that people may not have been prepared to come forward at the time for a variety of reasons but are now asking local people to think again.

(LB/GK)

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