Family issue appeal for help to find murderer of 'beautiful child' Raonaid Murray killed 20 years ago

Her body was then found at Silchester Crescent in Glenageary at 12.33am on Saturday, September 4, 1999, less than 500 yards from her home.

Gardaí are continuing to investigate Raonaid’s murder with a full-time Incident room still at Dun Laoghaire Garda Station and her family have issued an audio file appealing for help to find the murderer of their "beautiful child" who "died on the pavement with no loving, caring person there to help her, comfort her".

In a statement on behalf of the family, her father Jim said: "Raonaid’s killer is free. That freedom mocks what should have been Raonaid’s life and mocks the horror of her death.

"To her killer we say come out from the shadows and own up to what you have done. Do the right thing and confess your crime."

"It’s 20 years since Raonaid was murdered but to us 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. We are appealing for anyone with information that could be relevant to the inquiry to come forward with it to the gardaí."

Gardaí said: "Many who were then Raonaid’s age are now parents themselves with children, some of which would now be close to Raonaid’s age, and 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.

"Despite a large number of suspects having been identified during the course of this investigation, there is, in reality, no prime suspect.

"The lack of a prime suspect arises from the fact that there has been no motive identified in this case. In over 3400 witness statements there is not one word of enmity towards Raonaid."

Officers have appealed for anyone with information which could assist in identifying a motive for the murder of Raonaid and for anyone who has any doubts about the veracity of an alibi already provided to immediately help them.

They said: "You may be unknowingly shielding a killer."

The Gardaí and Raonaid’s family continue to work together in an effort to solve this case and they implore anyone with information to contact the Garda Incident Room at Dun Laoghaire Garda Station, phone 01-6665000 / 6665012 or alternatively the Garda Confidential line at 1800 666 111 or any Garda Station. A reward for critical information received is available from Crimestoppers - Freephone 1800 25 00 25.

Full Statement by Raonaid's father, Jim on behalf of the family

It is 20 years since the death of our daughter.

Raonaid was brutally murdered as she was making her way home on the night of the 3 September 1999. With her dying breath, she struggled to finish that journey, but died within a short distance from home.

Our beautiful child died on the pavement with no loving, caring person there to help or comfort her.

Recently, we were looking through some of Raonaid's things and glimpsed again the young woman our child was becoming. There was still that beautiful fresh innocence of youth on the threshold of adulthood, with all the excitement, wonder and possibility that brings with it. For a brief moment, she was ours again without this horrific shadow hanging over her.

Raonaid's killer is free. That freedom mocks what should have been Raonaid's life and mocks the horror of her death. To her killer, we say: 'Come out of the shadows and own up to what you have done. Do the right thing and confess your crime.'

To this day there is no prime suspect. It's 20 years since Raonaid was murdered, but to us, her awful death is still vivid in our minds and we feel the pain of her loss every day. We feel the memory of that time would still be vivid for others as well.

The gardaí have assured us their continuing commitment to bring Raonaid's killer to justice - but they need your help.

We are appealing for anyone with information that could be relevant to the inquiry to come forward with it to the gardaí.

At the start of the investigation, there were reports of sightings of people who were in the area at the time of Raonaid's murder. Some of these people have never come forward and we ask them now to contact the gardaí.

We ask anyone who may have, as of yet, undisclosed information to give that information to the gardaí. Help us find Raonaid's murderer.

Time has not lessened our sense of grief and loss, but set it deeper and made it more profound.

Raonaid died alone and frightened. Her killer is free. For Raonaid's sake help find her murderer and get the justice for her that she deserves.

Please help us by coming forward now.

On behalf of Raonaid's mother Deirdre, her brother Daniel, her sister Sarah and myself, her father, Jim, thank you.