23/09/2022

Fresh Appeal For Information On 1993 Murder Of Brendan McKenna

Detectives from Legacy Investigation Branch have issued a fresh appeal for information on the murder of Brendan McKenna near Comber in June 1993, on what would have been Brendan's 58th birthday.

Mr McKenna was shot dead by a gunman as he drove to a quarry on the Ballystockart Road, Comber on 2 June 1993.

Brendan was a 28 year old married lorry driver from Bann Foot in Derrytrasna near Lurgan.

Speaking about her husband's murder, Brendan's widow Elaine said: "At the time my husband Brendan was cruelly murdered many other innocent people were also gunned down; he wasn't the last. The next target was someone else's husband, son, brother or father. I appeal to society, to the people of Northern Ireland, if you have any information about Brendan's murder please contact the police or the confidential Crimestoppers charity. If you have any conscience, please come forward."

The Senior Investigating Officer, Detective Chief Inspector Mark Byrne from Legacy Investigation Branch said: "Mr McKenna was on his way to a quarry on Ballystockart Road, Comber when he was shot at the junction of the Hillhead Road and Ballystockart Road outside Comber. His attackers had posed as Department of Environment workers dressed in yellow coats and had been waiting in the area for several hours before the attack. Brendan was shot a number of times and died later in hospital.

"Brendan was an innocent victim of this sickening sectarian attack. He was going about his daily work as a lorry driver when he was brutally murdered for no other reason than his religion.

"The terrorists made their escape in a Blue coloured Ford Escort car that was found burned out in the Ballybeen Estate in Dundonald a short time after the attack.

"I am appealing for anyone who may have been in the Hillhead Road or Ballystockart Road area on the day of this attack and who may have seen a number of men dressed in yellow coats in the area. I believe that someone must have seen them before or after the attack or will know who these individuals were. Did you see them in the Ballybeen Estate where they set the car on fire after the attack?"

Detective Chief Inspector Byrne continued: "A number of people have been arrested and questioned about this murder however, to date, nobody has been charged with Brendan's murder. I am appealing to anyone with any knowledge of what happened that day, whether as a witness or from personal involvement, who have not spoken to police previously, or who have any new information, to do so now. It is not too late, if anyone now feels they are able to talk to us, we are ready to listen.

"A number of people were involved in Brendan's murder. They know who they are and they are going to have to live with that for the rest of their lives. I would appeal directly to them to do the right thing and make a difference to Brendan's family by making themselves known to police."

Anyone with information can contact detectives in Legacy Investigation Branch on 101 or LIBEnquiries@psni.pnn.police.uk. You can also submit a report online using our non-emergency reporting form via www.psni.police.uk/makeareport/ or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or online at www.crimestoppers-uk.org/.


Related Irish News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.

09 March 2017
National Water Demonstration To Be Held In April
A national water demonstration is to be held on Saturday, 08 April.
11 November 2014
Funeral Of Joe Walsh Held In Cork
The funeral has been held in Cork for former Minister for Agriculture Joe Walsh. The 71-year-old died in hospital on Sunday. He had held his ministerial post for ten years. A funeral procession left his Emmet Square home and walked to the parish church in Clonakilty.
11 September 2014
Funding Secured For Over 4,000 New Properties In Dublin
The National Asset Management Agency (NAMA) has confirmed that funding is in place to deliver over 4,000 new properties over the next 18 months. At the National Housing Supply Conference, NAMA's CEO Brendan McDonagh, said 12 areas in Dublin have been identified and building is set to begin.
02 May 2012
Cardinal Brady Will Not Resign
The leader of the Catholic Church in Ireland Cardinal Sean Brady has insisted he will not resign after a BBC documentary claimed he failed to act in 1975 to save children from being abused by paedophile priest Fr Brendan Smyth.
21 February 2012
Lottery Operator Could Receive €50m
The next operator of the National Lottery could be offered €50 million to run the business. Under Minister for Public Expenditure Brendan Howlin plans for the sale of the licence the new operator could run the lottery for between 20 and 30 years. The Minister will bring the proposals to Cabinet early next month.