Mother of murdered Derry man Andrew Allen reveals pain as son's killers still walk streets

Mr Allen had moved out of Derry a number of months earlier after receiving death threats alleging he was a drug dealer - something his family have vehemently and consistently denied.

His family's viewpoint was supported by evidence heard during an inquest into Mr Allen's killing in which the court heard he had no savings or trappings associated with selling drugs.

Republican Action Against Drugs, which later merged into the Real IRA, claimed responsibility for Mr Allen's death.

A total of six people have been arrested by Garda Siochana but to date no one has been convicted - something that Mr Allen's mother Donna Smith finds difficult to come to terms with.

Speaking to the Belfast Telegraph, Ms Smith said: "Every day I wake up, the realisation that Andrew isn't with us gets harder and harder to accept.

"Andrew's two children are now 13 and 15 and looking at them and seeing how they are doing so well, I know Andrew would be so proud of them.

"But they are growing up without their father and that just hurts.

"The men who murdered my son are free. They are free to walk the streets of this city (Derry) and I could walk past them but my son is dead.

"I know there are people who know the names of my son's killer and while part of me thinks no one will ever come forward with that information, part of me still hopes that some day their conscience will make them do the right thing.

"I do understand why people would be reluctant because I know the level of terror and control these organisation inflict on the community, but I would appeal so much to anyone who has information to give it to the Guards (Irish police).

"I don't blame the Guards for the lack of convictions, they have been so good to us as a family and keep in touch with us - but they need evidence and that can only come from either the people who did this to Andrew or from their community."

A Garda spokesman said: "We are grateful for all the witnesses that have come forward and made statements but gardai believe that there are still people in both Buncrana and Derry city who have information that may assist with the investigation.

"Many people have been arrested and questioned over the past nine years and An Garda Siochana are grateful for all those who have assisted the investigation.

"An Garda Siochana together with our counterparts in the Police Service of Northern Ireland continue to investigate and are currently following several lines of enquiry on both sides of the border.

Anyone with information can contact Buncrana Garda Station 00353 74 9320540 or the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111.

Belfast Telegraph