Brian McDermott (murder victim)

Brian McDermott was a schoolboy who disappeared in Belfast in 1973. He was last seen at Ormeau Park on September 2nd, 1973.[1] He failed to return to his home on Well Street in the lower Woodstock Road area of Cregagh, Belfast.[1] A week after he went missing, the River Lagan was lowered and a sack containing some of his remains were found.[1]

Concerns about link to Kincora Boys Home

In 1982 a possible link was discussed between the death of Brian McDermott and the abuse scandal at Kincora Boys' Home was discussed by Jim Prior , Michael Havers, senior civil servant Sir William Bourne and then Secretary of State for Northern Ireland and the then Lord Chancellor Quintin Hogg.[2][3] Papers concerning this meeting were released in 2013.[2][3]

Brother investigated

Brians' brother William was 16 at the time of his disappearance and he was considered a suspect and questioned in 1976 and again in 2004.[4] William denies the allegations and is estranged from the rest of his family.[4] He admits confessing in 1976, but says that confession was coerced.[4] He changed his name by deed poll to avoid the stigma of being a suspect in his brothers' murder.[4]

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 McMahon, Victoria (30 January 2008). "Police to send team to re-investigate horrific murder after 'confession'". Belfast Telegraph.
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 McCann, Eamonn (17 July 2014). "Victims of abuse in North still waiting for justice". The Irish Times.
  3. ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 Magee, Kevin (26 September 1013). "Man denies killing brother in Belfast 40 years ago". BBC News Northern Ireland.