QUINN MURDER: Mother's plea

Her son, 14-year-old Ryan Quinn,was murdered near railway tracks in Portrush on Friday, January 30 last year.

No one has ever been brought to trial for the teenager's murder and the investigation is still on-going.

In an emotional press conference to mark the anniversary of her son's murder, Ryan's mother, Lisa Kinnaird, bravely faced journalists on Friday to appeal for more information.

"Ryan was a happy-go-lucky little boy, who was up for a good laugh, he was always looking out for his sister Sara. He was the wee man of the house," she said.

"He was interested in boxing and was due to start a fire cadets course in Portrush on the Monday morning.

"He was also due to go fishing with the youth club on the Saturday morning."

Ryan's grandmother Anne, who also attended the press conference, added: "His lunchbox was all packed for the fishing trip the following morning."

But tragically Ryan never got to go fishing as he died that night on the railway tracks behind McLaughlin's Bar where an 18th birthday party was in full swing.

"I can't remember what time I heard that something had happened that night but Ryan's father told me to get down to Portrush because Ryan had been assaulted," said Lisa.

"I was told that there was a body that they were 99% sure was Ryan - but you just keep holding onto the 1% that it might not be.

"I just hung on to that until 5 o'clock in the morning when they confirmed it was Ryan. Then I just squealed and squealed

"Ryan was just like any other 14-year-old. He didn't deserve that, nobody deserves that.

"Every Friday since his death I would just go back over everything that happened that Friday.

"I would try not to look at the clock but now every day is a Friday.

"I try for my daughter but it's all false."

Ryan was a pupil at St Joseph's College and Lisa paid tribute to his fellow pupils there.

"They were so good. They organised the music at the funeral. His friends still call down. They will visit Ryan's grave too.

"They send me wee texts saying if they can do anything to help me and Sara and to keep my chin up."

Appealing for anyone who has information to come forward to the police, Lisa said: "Just search your hearts. You have no idea what this has put us through. He was only 14-years-old and didn't deserve that, no-one does.

"His sister is devastated. Her big brother is gone. She has gone from having a brother to being an only child.

"It would give us some closure if there was some justice for Ryan.

"I don't mean that I would be jumping up and down every day but it would help to know that the people were locked up.

"As it is, we are just stuck in a very dark place.

"It's coming up to the anniversary of Ryan's death but I relive it every day of my life. I go over it in my head. Every day is the same."