Gardai have ruled Larry Murphy out as a suspect in the murder of Antoinette Smith who went missing after a concert in Slane nearly 40 years ago.
Antoinette, or Angie as she was known to family and friends, was last seen at around 2.30am on O’Connell Street in Dublin on July 12, 1987, after a David Bowie gig.
The 27-year-old’s body was found dumped in an isolated drain on a bog road near the Wicklow mountains almost a year later.
Her daughter Lisa met with Garda Commissioner Drew Harris last week and revealed any link to convicted rapist Murphy had been ruled out.
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There was speculation that predator Murphy could have abducted and killed the mum-of-two but Lisa said gardai were satisfied there was nothing to tie him to the case.
Lisa, who was seven when her mum was killed, told the Irish Sunday Mirror how Commissioner Harris has vowed to bring those responsible for her mother’s death to justice.
She said: “No minister for justice has ever met me so I was very surprised when Commissioner Harris said he would.
“He listened to every point I had to make, and my concerns, and sat with me for two and a half hours.
“He explained and understood where I was coming from about the lack of progress in the case.
“I asked if Larry Murphy had been looked into and he said there was nothing to tie him to my mam’s case.”
Lisa appealed to anyone who may have information to come forward ahead of her anniversary on July 12.
She said: “Each day is very hard for us each year.
“If you have any information about my mam’s case, please come forward. It’s never ever too late.”
