31/03/2026
PSNI Renews Appeal Over 1973 Murder Of Marian Beattie
Detectives from the Police Service of Northern Ireland's Legacy Investigation Branch are reviewing the murder of 18-year-old Marian Beattie and appealing for information to help establish what happened before her death. Marian's body was discovered at the bottom of a quarry near Aughnacloy on Saturday 31 March 1973.
She had attended a charity dance at Hadden's Garage in Aughnacloy on Friday 30 March 1973 to hear her brother's band. She was last seen just after 1am leaving the dance with a young man and walking towards Hadden's Quarry. Her body was found shortly after 6am at the base of the nearby quarry.
Detective Inspector McCrissican, from the Legacy Investigation Branch, said: "We believe Marian left the dance at Hadden's Garage with a man, walking in the direction of the nearby car park at the top of Hadden's Quarry about 400 yards away from the garage. We do not know what happened next but Marian's body was found at the bottom of the quarry below the car park."
Detective Inspector McCrissican said: "I appreciate this murder took place over 50 years ago but we would like to talk to anyone who was at the dance at Hadden's Garage on the night of Friday, 30th March 1973. Marian went there with a girlfriend to listen to her brother's band. Did you see who she was dancing with or speaking with? Did you see her leave the dance with a man? Do you know who he was? Did you see her in the car park at the quarry any time after 1.15am on the Saturday morning?"
Detective Inspector McCrissican said: "Additionally, do you remember anyone who was at the dance returning home distressed or with dirt on their clothes? Has anyone ever talked about the events of that night?"
Detective Inspector McCrissican said: "Marian's family deserve to know what happened to her that night. I am appealing to anyone who may be able to help us progress the investigation and bring some closure to the Beattie family to come forward and speak to Detectives in Legacy Investigation Branch. Detectives can be contacted by calling 101. Alternatively a report can be made online at www.psni.police.uk/makeareport and also via Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or online at www.crimestoppers-uk.org."
She had attended a charity dance at Hadden's Garage in Aughnacloy on Friday 30 March 1973 to hear her brother's band. She was last seen just after 1am leaving the dance with a young man and walking towards Hadden's Quarry. Her body was found shortly after 6am at the base of the nearby quarry.
Detective Inspector McCrissican, from the Legacy Investigation Branch, said: "We believe Marian left the dance at Hadden's Garage with a man, walking in the direction of the nearby car park at the top of Hadden's Quarry about 400 yards away from the garage. We do not know what happened next but Marian's body was found at the bottom of the quarry below the car park."
Detective Inspector McCrissican said: "Additionally, do you remember anyone who was at the dance returning home distressed or with dirt on their clothes? Has anyone ever talked about the events of that night?"
Detective Inspector McCrissican said: "Marian's family deserve to know what happened to her that night. I am appealing to anyone who may be able to help us progress the investigation and bring some closure to the Beattie family to come forward and speak to Detectives in Legacy Investigation Branch. Detectives can be contacted by calling 101. Alternatively a report can be made online at www.psni.police.uk/makeareport and also via Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or online at www.crimestoppers-uk.org."
Latest Northern Ireland News
31 March 2026
PSNI Renews Appeal Over 1973 Murder Of Marian Beattie
Detectives from the Police Service of Northern Ireland's Legacy Investigation Branch are reviewing the murder of 18-year-old Marian Beattie and appealing for information to help establish what happened before her death. Marian's body was discovered at the bottom of a quarry near Aughnacloy on Saturday 31 March 1973.
PSNI Renews Appeal Over 1973 Murder Of Marian Beattie
Detectives from the Police Service of Northern Ireland's Legacy Investigation Branch are reviewing the murder of 18-year-old Marian Beattie and appealing for information to help establish what happened before her death. Marian's body was discovered at the bottom of a quarry near Aughnacloy on Saturday 31 March 1973.
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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.