10 January 2005

Police appeal for DNA volunteers in murder hunt

Police investigating the murder of retired postmaster Patrick McGrath in Killeen near Coalisland, Co Tyrone have appealed for volunteers to provide DNA samples in an effort to apprehend the murderer.

Mr McGrath, 76, is understood to have been suffocated when an intruder broke into his home on December 19, 2004. His 67-year-old sister, Philomena was sexually assaulted and beaten in the attack.

Appealing for males between 14 and 40 to provide a DNA sample, Detective Superintendent Derek Williamson described the incident as one of the most "appalling and vile crimes" he had encountered. He said that police urgently needed the cooperation of the public in the Killeen area to help exclude persons from their investigation and apprehend the person responsible.

Police have given assurances that anyone who voluntarily submits a sample will not be added to the police DNA profile database and that samples will be destroyed when the current investigation is concluded.

Mr McGrath's brother, Colm, has supported the police appeal and asked anyone with information to contact police or a community representative.

Philomena McGrath, who sustained broken bones in the attack and has only recently been released from hospital, has been able to provide only limited information to detectives.

(SP)