Murder case re-opened

THE murder of a Ballykelly teenager almost 13 years ago is to be reinvestigated, police have confirmed.

18-year-old Jonathan Cairns was returning home after a night out in the County Londonderry village on April 25, 1999, when he was assaulted. His body was later found in a shallow grave in Loughermore Forest, five miles outside Ballykelly.

One man later received a five year jail term for perverting the course of justice after it was proven the victim’s body had been transported in his car. But, to date no one has been convicted of the teenager’s murder. The Cairns family have always been convinced that the individual or individuals responsible for the killing come from the local area.

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The PSNI say they have re-opened the inquiry following a review of the case and confirmed they are following a number of new leads.

In a statement the police said: “We are committed to pursuing all those involved and bringing them before the courts. Enquiries will be conducted in the village in the coming days.”

Speaking after receiving news that his son’s murder is to be re-investigated Raymond Cairns told the Sentinel: “We are very glad that the police are re-investigating the case again. Hopefully something will come of it this time. The police seem sure about who did it but it is a matter of getting enough evidence. So there seems to be a very good chance this time, but we won’t know until they come before the courts.”

Mr Cairns also said it would prove a good consolation to the family if someone is convicted of Jonathan’s murder after almost a decade and a half of mental anguish. The victim’s father also revealed that his family are offering a £30,000 reward to anyone who produces information that leads to a conviction.

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The officer in charge of the reinvestigation said the PSNI are very keen to speak to anyone in a position to assist them with their enquiries.

Detective Chief Inspector John McVea stated: “Jonathan was a local teenager who was killed on his way home after a night out. We believe his killer or killers also lived locally. We also believe that people within the Ballykelly community have information which help solve this case.

“We appreciate it is almost 13 years ago but we are asking people to think back to that Saturday night and Sunday morning of 24-25 April, 1999. Police spoke to many people at the time but we are still trying to identify anyone who was in the Clooney Road/Loughermore Road/Caman Park areas of Ballykelly between 1.30am and 9am on Sunday, April 25, 1999.

“People may not have been prepared to come forward at the time for a variety of reasons but we are asking local people to think again. Circumstances and loyalties may have changed over the intervening 13 years and it is never too late to do the right thing.”

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In a press interview on the 10th anniversary of Jonathan’s death in 2009, Raymond Cairns said: “This was Jonathan’s home and difficult and all as it is sometimes, we decided to stay in it. Friends and neighbours are aware of everything and know just how difficult this time of year is for us so they rally around.”

Police say anyone with information on the murder of Jonathan Cairns should contact them at North Queen Street in Belfast on 02890561812 or anonymously on the Crimestoppers number 0800555111.

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