GARDAÍ have appealed to people on the “periphery” of the organisation behind the 2008 murder of Strabane man Andrew Burns to help identify his killers.
Mr Burns (27) was shot dead by dissident republican group Oglaigh na hÉireann on February 12 2008 close to a church at Donnyloop, Co Donegal. Strabane man Martin Kelly was jailed for life for his part in the murder in 2012.
In an appeal marking the 13th anniversary of the murder, Gardaí said they believe a number of other people were involved in the killing.
Detective Inspector Pat O’Donnell said Mr Burns family remained devastated by what he described as a “callous act”. He said the family continued to struggle to come to terms with the murder.
“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.
“It has been 13 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 13 years ago.
“An Garda Síochána is appealing to those individuals to look into their conscience and unburden themselves of whatever information they may have,” Mr O’Donnell said.
The senior Garda said any information received would be treated in strictest confidence.
“It is never too late for those who have yet to come forward to make contact with An Garda Síochána.”
The detective inspector thanked those who have already provided statements to the investigation.
