FRESH THIERAFURTH INN MURDER APPEAL

THE PSNI has made a fresh appeal for information on the 31st anniversary of the murder of Peter McCormack in Kilcoo’s Thierafurth Inn. On Sunday, Legacy Investigation Branch detectives appealed for anyone with information in relation to the 19 November 1992 killing to contact them.

Mr McCormack, a 42-year-old former schoolteacher from Drumena Road in the village, was shot dead when two UVF gunmen burst into the public house on that date at approximately 9pm and opened fire on customers.  Three other customers, including a 69- year-old man who was registered blind, were also injured in the attack.

Legacy Investigation Branch’s Detective Chief Inspector Byrne, the senior investigating officer, said: “Mr McCormack was enjoying a drink in his local pub when he was murdered.  “The bar was full of customers about to take part in a charity darts match.  “Peter was an innocent victim of a sickening sectarian attack. “Police believe that the gunmen made their escape in a Grey Ford Orion car that was found abandoned a few miles away from the bar in Tollymore Forest Park.  “It had been stolen from an address in east Belfast earlier in the day. “More than 30 years have now passed since Peter’s murder, and I am appealing for anyone who has any knowledge of what happened that evening who have not spoken to police previously, or who have any new information, to do so now.”

He added that “it is not too late, if anyone now feels they are able to talk to us”, and that they are “ready to listen”. Detective Chief Inspector Byrne concluded: “A number of people were involved in Peter’s murder. “They know who they are and they are going to have to live with that for the rest of their lives.   “I would appeal directly to them to do the right thing and make a difference to Peter’s family by making themselves known to police.”

Anyone with information can contact detectives in Legacy Investigation Branch on 101 or by emailing LIBEnquiries@psni.pnn.police.uk.  A report can be submitted online using the non-emergency reporting form via www.psni.police.uk/makeareport/ or by contacting Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or at www.crimestoppersuk.org/.