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New hunt opens for 'grotesque' child killer
Witchcraft not ruled out in killing of boy 30 years ago

05 September 2003

POLICE have not ruled out witchcraft or paedophilia as motives for Northern Ireland's most gruesome child murder, it emerged today.

Detectives have appealed for fresh information about the death of 10-year-old Brian McDermott, 30 years after his murder.

Brian disappeared from a playground in Ormeau Park, south Belfast, on Sunday, September 2, 1973. His badly mutilated torso and arm were recovered from the River Lagan a week later.

Detective Chief Inspector George Hamilton said he remained optimistic that someone could be brought to justice for the murder, although it happened so long ago. He believed there were people in the park on the day of Brian's disappearance who had not yet talked to police.

"People, for a variety of reasons, may not have felt free to come forward to the police in 1973," he said.

"There are technologies and investigative opportunities open to me as a senior investigator in 2003 that weren't available to my counterparts in 1973.

"What I want to do is try to exploit those to the maximum to try to bring the person or persons to justice for this horrific and grotesque crime.

"But although I am optimistic and I believe it is achievable, I am also realistic.

"It can only be done if I get more information from people who I believe saw something here in Ormeau Park on Sunday, September 2, 1973."

Mr Hamilton said that his team had reviewed the child sex, witchcraft and sectarian motives which were suggested during the original inquiry.

"I believe that out of the large number of lines of inquiries and motives mentioned in 1973, that there's one or two that with help from the public we can develop this investigation and really take it forward, and hopefully bring it to a conclusion and bring these people to justice and bring some closure to the family," he said.

The police team had been in close contact with Brian's family, who left Northern Ireland in the 1970s because of the murder, Mr Hamilton said.

Brian's mother is currently in frail health, and his father died several years ago.

Mr Hamilton urged anyone who wished to pass information to police in confidence to contact the Crimestoppers line on 0800 555111.

http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/story.jsp?story=440616

 The Kincora Scandal

Editors Comment!

Can we take these comments by the RUC spokesperson seriously?

Lets examine a hypothetical scenario, but one which I believe is the reality concerning Brians terrible murder.

The establishment in Northern Ireland ( the RUC, British Goverrnment, High ranking Civil Servants and the gentry) would have us, the ordinary people, believe that paedophiles are most likely to be found amongst the middle or lower classes in society. Establishment newspapers regularly portray and give the impression that most paedophiles and murderers are to be found amongst the unemployed or persons of "no fixed abode". They portray paedophiles as dirty old men prowling around the streets and childrens playgrounds looking for naive and trusting children; dirty old men in raincoats with pockets full of sweets. However, the reality is, as has often been proclaimed on radio and TV by courageous and genuine social workers, that the majority of the cases of abuse originate within the homes of the middle and even the upper classes in society.

So, if we for one moment consider the possibilty that Brian was abducted by "well healed" paedophiles or satanists, persons with connections in "high places", maybe politicians, businessmen or even within the RUC, does anyone really think for one moment that the RUC "investigation" squad will actively pursue this case to its proper conclusion?

My answer to that would be; right Jack!

They'll investigate possible high ranking paedophiles and murderers in Northern Ireland in the same way the Garda (Irish Police) investigate in the Irish Republic, and judging by their track record, nothing will be done! They'll posture and ask for new information, they.ll give press interviews on the progress in the case, then they'll delay until finally, years will have gone by and nothing will have been done and certainly no one of importance will be accused.

However, there is another possibilty in the "solving" of crimes such as this!

We might find one day that the RUC have arrested a man who is unemployed or someone of "no fixed abode", just as in the Julie Tennant murder in Ballymena a few years ago!

Before anyone pooh-poohs this supposition, they should ask themselves; " Is it possible that there are criminals within their police force; is their police force trustworthy in all matters; do you believe that the police and their masters in the upper classes have only the best interests of the populace (the poor and unempowered) at their hearts?

 

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