Police renew appeal over 1973 Belfast schoolboy murder

The 10-year-old’s body was found mutilated and dumped in the River Lagan

Police reviewing the murder of a 10-year-old Belfast schoolboy are appealing for the public’s help 52 years on after he went missing.

Brian McDermott from east Belfast disappeared from Ormeau Park on Sunday, 2 September 1973. He had left his home in Well Street in the lower Woodstock Road area of east Belfast at around 12:30pm to play in the park and failed to return for his Sunday dinner.

He was last seen playing alone in the playground between 1pm and 3pm that afternoon. The boy’s remains were recovered from the River Lagan almost a week later, near the Belfast Boat Club.

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It came after police received a report that a suspicious object had been spotted in the river close to Annadale Embankment not far away from where he disappeared. A sack containing the boy’s mutilated and burned remains was pulled from the water.

Detectives from the PSNI’s Legacy Investigation Branch reviewing the murder have issued a new appeal for information.

A police spokesperson said: “It has been more than 50 years since that day and we are acutely aware of the pain and suffering that Brian’s family continue to feel and our thoughts very much remain with the family at this time.

“Despite the passage of time, this murder case has never been closed and I am hopeful that someone may be able to provide information, no matter how small, which may open a new line of enquiry, or add a new dimension to information already available.

“It is also possible that someone, who did not volunteer information at the time, may be willing to speak with police now. Legacy Investigation Branch Detectives will consider all investigative opportunities as part of the review into Brian’s murder.

“If anyone has any information in relation to Brian’s murder we would ask them to contact Legacy Investigation Branch where all information will be assessed and considered by investigators.”

Detectives can be contacted on 101 or by emailing LIBEnquiries@psni.police.uk quoting reference RM05003065. A report can also be made online using the non-emergency reporting form via www.psni.police.uk/makeareport/ You can also contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or online at www.crimestoppers-uk.org.

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