Gardaí issue Donegal murder appeal

Gardaí investigating the murder of Andrew Burns in Donegal last Tuesday have repeated an appeal for information on the killing…

Gardaí investigating the murder of Andrew Burns in Donegal last Tuesday have repeated an appeal for information on the killing.

Mr Burns (27), a painter and decorator, was found a week ago with two bullet wounds to his abdomen near St Columba's church in the village of Doneyloop.

Gardaí at the murder scene in Doneyloop, Co Donegal: detectives are exploring a number of avenues.
Gardaí at the murder scene in Doneyloop, Co Donegal: detectives are exploring a number of avenues.

It is thought he was abducted in Strabane town centre an hour earlier a short distance away on the northern side of the Border.

The Real IRA has denied involvement in his killing, but the INLA, another republican faction, has claimed his death is linked to a group called Óglaigh na hÉireann.

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A week on from the murder the gardaí plan to revisit the scene this evening where they will mount checkpoints in the area.

They will also be asking people to fill out questionnaires in order to prompt recollections of this night one week ago.

They are seeking to talk to anyone who was in Waterfront Bar, Strabane, between 6.30pm and 7.30pm; those who were on the main street of

Strabane between 6:45pm and 7pm and saw Mr Burns entering his apartment; and anyone who saw

vehicles travelling between the Fern area and Doneyloop between 6.30pm and 7.30pm.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Lifford Gardaí on 074 9141000 or the Garda Confidential line on 1800 666 111.

Luke Cassidy

Luke Cassidy

Luke Cassidy is Digital Production Editor of The Irish Times