26/06/2025
Renew Appeal For Information In 1972 Joseph Leitch Murder
Officers from the Police Service of Northern Ireland's (PSNI) Legacy Investigation Branch are appealing to the public for assistance with information concerning the 1972 murder of Joseph Leitch.
Detective Inspector McCrissican stated: "Mr Leitch, a 72-year-old retired farmer, lived alone at his property in The Craigs, Cullybackey. On Saturday, 22 April 1972, at approximately 00:15, he returned home after visiting his nephew and sister, a short distance away."
Mr Leitch's body was discovered that same evening by a neighbour who had called to visit him. Investigations later concluded that he had died from gunshot wounds.
Detectives are particularly keen to establish Mr Leitch's activities on the day of his murder. "More specifically," Detective Inspector McCrissican said, "if he attended Fairhill Market in Ballymena, which was part of his routine. It remains unclear whether the murder took place before or after a possible market visit."
One key line of enquiry for the Legacy Investigation Branch is the possibility that Mr Leitch's murder was connected to a robbery.
"We are appealing to anyone who may have known Joseph Leitch, seen him that day or recalls anything - no matter how small - that might assist the enquiry," Detective Inspector McCrissican urged.
This renewed appeal is being made with the full support of Mr Leitch's family, in the hope of bringing new information to light in this cold case.
Anyone with information, no matter how insignificant it may seem, is asked to contact the Legacy Investigation Branch directly.
If you have any information, please contact officers on 101. You can also make a report online at www.psni.police.uk/makeareport/
You can also contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or online at crimestoppers-uk.org/
Detective Inspector McCrissican stated: "Mr Leitch, a 72-year-old retired farmer, lived alone at his property in The Craigs, Cullybackey. On Saturday, 22 April 1972, at approximately 00:15, he returned home after visiting his nephew and sister, a short distance away."
Mr Leitch's body was discovered that same evening by a neighbour who had called to visit him. Investigations later concluded that he had died from gunshot wounds.
Detectives are particularly keen to establish Mr Leitch's activities on the day of his murder. "More specifically," Detective Inspector McCrissican said, "if he attended Fairhill Market in Ballymena, which was part of his routine. It remains unclear whether the murder took place before or after a possible market visit."
"We are appealing to anyone who may have known Joseph Leitch, seen him that day or recalls anything - no matter how small - that might assist the enquiry," Detective Inspector McCrissican urged.
This renewed appeal is being made with the full support of Mr Leitch's family, in the hope of bringing new information to light in this cold case.
Anyone with information, no matter how insignificant it may seem, is asked to contact the Legacy Investigation Branch directly.
If you have any information, please contact officers on 101. You can also make a report online at www.psni.police.uk/makeareport/
You can also contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or online at crimestoppers-uk.org/
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Northern Ireland WeatherToday:A sunny but frosty start for many. However cloud increases by midday with a few showers reaching the north coast, these mostly light but spreading inland this afternoon. Chilly. Maximum temperature 8 °C.Tonight:A rather cloudy evening with scattered showers. Becoming drier through the night with some good clear spells developing and a patchy frost away from coasts. Minimum temperature 0 °C.