Raonaid Murray

Raonaid Murray (6 January 1982 – 4 September 1999) was an Irish murder victim, stabbed to death at the age of 17 in the early hours of 4 September 1999. , this case remains unsolved. The murder weapon has not been located either. Each year her family and the Garda Síochána issue new appeals for fresh information. In 2009, a tribute website was set up but was targeted by vandals and naysayers who posted upsetting messages.

By 2008, Raonaid was said to have "achieved iconic status", according to Kim Bielenberg of the ''Irish Independent'', who remarked in one article that her image was still to be seen on the front pages of Ireland's newspapers on a regular basis. The case has been compared in the media to other unsolved incidents such as the disappearance of schoolboy Philip Cairns in 1986.

Background of victim

Raonaid Murray was born on 6 January 1982 to parents Jim and Deirdre Murray and lived in Glenageary, South Dublin. Raonaid is the Irish name for Rachel. She had two siblings, an older brother and an older sister. She attended St Joseph of Cluny secondary school in Killiney where she achieved highly in her Junior Certificate before completing her Leaving Certificate examinations in June 1999. On finishing school she worked part-time in a fashion boutique in Dún Laoghaire but intended to re-sit her Leaving Cert at the Institute of Education in Leeson Street and hoped to attend the arts faculty in University College Dublin upon completion. She liked reading and poetry, with her favourite play being ''Under Milk Wood'' by Dylan Thomas, and hoped to one day be a success as a professional writer. She wore a blue stud in her nose, was known for dressing in bright colours and pursued an active social life.

Murder

Raonaid spent the evening of 3 September 1999 socialising in Scotts pub on Georges Street, Dún Laoghaire, a place she knew well. She had just finished her shift in the boutique at 9:00pm. It was to be the place where she was last seen alive. She left at approximately 11.20pm, planning to meet friends again later, and started the 15-minute walk home. It is believed that she argued with a man described as being in his mid 20s an estimated 25 minutes after leaving the pub in the laneway between Silchester Road and her home in Silchester Park. Witnesses heard a female voice expressing a cry of "leave me alone", "go away" or something similar. "Fuck off" was also heard. This was followed by a scream. Raonaid was stabbed four times in the side, chest and shoulder with a one-and-a-half-inch sharp knife while in Silchester Crescent. Her murderer escaped and Raonaid staggered 200 feet before she collapsed and died from her injuries. Her body was found by her sister Sarah 50 yards from her home, at 12:20am on the morning of Saturday 4 September. Raonaid was not sexually assaulted nor were her possessions stolen.

Investigation

An investigation was launched; however, a motive has never been found.

More than 100 Gardaí were assigned to the case at its peak. By 2008, more than 8,000 people were interviewed and almost 3,000 statements taken. There were 12 arrests. The knife used to murder Raonaid has never been found.

In the build-up to the first anniversary of Raonaid's murder in 2000, there were fresh appeals for information by Gardaí and Detective Inspector Eamon O'Reilly appealed to listeners of ''Morning Ireland'' for assistance.

Each year, Raonaid's family issue an appeal for more information. They have offered a reward of €190,000. These appeals for information have been renewed, particularly with authorities suspecting that any young people who may have witnessed the crime may now have reached the correct level of maturity to discuss what they saw. On the tenth anniversary of Raonaid's murder in 2009, gardaí issued descriptions of a male and female who they wanted to interview on the matter.

Profile of killer

A forensic profile of the killer suggested that it would be a young man, in his mid- to late twenties, single, living either alone or with his mother. He would have been a loner, possibly with a drug problem, and may have been in psychiatric care at some point. He would also have had a history of anti-social behaviour and would be unlikely to have had any intimate relationships. The profile indicated a likelihood he would kill again.

Suspects

There have been suspects for the murder since it took place:

* The earliest suspect was a man in his mid-twenties, five foot ten in height, with sandy-coloured Oasis

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