The family of and detectives investigating the murder of Mr Edward O'Hare, at his home near Loughbrickland on November 8 2003 have issued a fresh appeal for information on his death, close to the third anniversary of his death.

Ted O'Hare, 73, was murdered during a robbery at his Loughbrickland home in November 2003, when a gang of masked men broke into the property.

His three brothers who were at Saturday night Mass at the time, were confronted by the gang when they arrived home.

The appeal comes after a meeting between the O'Hare family, the Chief Constable and the Senior Investigating Officer, which took place at the request of Mr P J Bradley MLA on behalf of the O'Hare family.

The meeting was later described by all present as 'positive and constructive'.

Following the meeting Edward's brother Bernard O'Hare said: "The pain of the loss of 'Ted' as he was known to our family is still very raw even after this time. We as a family want justice for him and would therefore appeal to anyone with any knowledge or information about those who were involved to bring that forward to the police."

"Ted was a completely inoffensive man who shared a very simple life with his brothers on the family farm. He had been ill and did not go with us to mass like he normally did on the night he was killed. He was murdered and there is no doubt those to blame are the monsters who entered and ransacked his home that night."

The officer leading the enquiry, Detective Superintendent Derek Williamson added: “It is frustrating to see a family in such turmoil and knowing that there are people who have an intimate knowledge of what happened that night and who have not yet found the courage to come forward and tell police. I would echo the family appeal in that regard and ask anyone who has any information about the murder of 'Ted' to get in touch with detectives."

DSI Williamson continued by saying that a total of 10 people had been arrested to date in connection with the murder and emphasised that while three years had passed, police were still following up the case.

He added: "I remain committed to ensuring that all realistic avenues of investigation are exhausted, and even now if anyone can help with information about the case I would welcome this."

Newry and Mourne MLA PJ Bradley, who has been in close contact with the victim's family since his murder said: "I would like to add my voice to the appeal by the O'Hare Family and by the PSNI in their anxiousness for greater assistance in bringing the perpetrators of this cowardly crime to justice. If anyone reading this article has information, however trivial it may appear, on any aspect of the events that led up to Ted O'Hare's death I ask that they examine their conscience and do the right thing by giving what information they have to the investigating officers. It is too late to do anything for Ted O'Hare but it is not too late to help remove the terrible cross that his brothers have been forced to carry."

Anyone who has any information in connection with Mr O'Hare's murder is asked to get in touch with detectives in Banbridge on 02840 662222 or anonymously on the Crimestoppers number on 0800 555 111.

(EF)