Police renew appeal on first anniversary of Ryan Quinn’s murder
29 Jan 2010
On the first anniversary of the murder of Ryan Quinn, the 14-year-old schoolboy who died after he was struck by a train in Portrush, police are renewing their appeal for information.
Ryan had been at a birthday party in McLaughlin’s bar on Friday 30 January 2009. During the evening he was assaulted and later chased from the bar towards the railway track where he was hit by a train and died instantly.
The officer in charge of the investigation, Detective Chief Inspector Ian Harrison, is making a specific appeal: “We have identified 60 people who were in the bar that night and we have taken more than 250 statements but we need more information.
“We are uncertain about Ryan’s movements between 10.40pm that night and just before 11pm when he was hit by the train. It’s a short timeframe but it is very important.
“We know there was a sizeable crowd in the bar and that after some entertainment a considerable number of people went outside towards the smoking area. We need all those people to come forward. A number of them have but some have not.
“I believe there are still individuals in the community who have significant information about what happened. This appeal includes the earlier assault in the bar and the period between 10.40pm-11pm. Anyone who does come forward will be dealt with sympathetically. They may have concerns about talking to us for various reasons.
“I can tell them this is not an inquiry into underage drinking or being somewhere without their parents’ consent. This is an investigation into the murder of a 14-year-old boy. I believe it is paramount that anyone who knows anything does the right thing and comes forward – not just for the police investigation but for Ryan’s family who are still suffering the consequences of what happened a year ago.”
Ryan’s father Ivan took a call from his son seconds before he died, asking for help. His mum, Lisa Kinnaird, says the family have been devastated by what happened: “I would ask people to search within their hearts. They have no idea what we’ve been put through. Ryan was only a 14-year-old child. Nobody deserves to die like that.
“I don’t think I will ever be happy again. People ask me if I’m dreading the anniversary. Every day is the same. I relive this every day of my life. It has not got any easier for us. It might be easier if we had closure and justice, knowing that the people who did this were locked up. We might be able to move on. At the moment we are stuck in a very dark place.”
Anyone with information is asked to contact detectives at Coleraine police station on 0845 600 8000 or alternatively information can be passed anonymously to the charity Crimestoppers on freephone 0800 555 111.
A file on the investigation relating to a 22-year-old man and a 16-year-old youth has been sent to the Public Prosecution Service.
