ON THE 11TH anniversary of Damien Duffy’s death, police in Northern Ireland have said they are to reopen the investigation into the murder of the teenager.

Duffy was just 18-years-old when he was beaten and stabbed during a confrontation on the Stewartstown Road in the early hours of 20 May 2001. The incident is understood to have been sparked by a dispute in a bar which turned into a “major confrontation” between two groups of people at about 3am.

The teen, who was a trainee maintenance officer, was transferred to a London hospital but he died from his injuries a fortnight later on 4 June.

Detectives in the PSNI’s Serious Crime Branch said they are re-opening the case following a review.

The officer leading the renewed investigation, Detective Chief Inspector Justyn Galloway, said: “As a result of the initial police investigation, a number of individuals pleaded guilty to a series of offences linked to the street confrontation but no-one has been made amenable for Damien’s murder.”

He said the tragic consequences of that fateful night will “stay with Damien’s family forever”.

Appealing for new information, Galloway added, “Many people have moved on; loyalties may have changed; but the Duffy family is stuck in limbo. Their lives have been devastated by the loss of a son and a brother.

“Even after 11 years I firmly believe there are people in the local community who have information about what happened that night and who was involved.”

I would appeal to the community, specifically to anyone who was in the company of the person responsible either on the night or the days following the incident to think about the heart-breaking position the Duffy family is in. I would urge them to look to their consciences and to provide whatever information they have to police.

Anyone with information is asked to contact detectives at North Queen Street police complex on 028 9056 1804 or, alternatively, people can provide information without giving their details to the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

Eight men appeared at Belfast Magistrate’s Court after the incident but the charges against them were changed from murder to affray.