DETECTIVES FROM THE PSNI’s Legacy Investigation Branch are making a renewed appeal for information on the 1973 murder of 18-year-old Marian Beattie.

It is currently reviewing Marian’s murder in Aughnacloy, Co Tyrone 53 years ago today and police are appealing for information surrounding the circumstances leading to her death.

Marian’s body was found at the bottom of a quarry near Aughnacloy 53 years ago today. 

She had been attending a charity dance at Hadden’s Garage in Aughnacloy on Friday, 30 March 1973 to listen to her brother’s band.

Marian was last seen leaving the dance with a young man just after 1am and walking in the direction of Hadden’s Quarry, around 400 yards away.

Her body was discovered at the bottom of the nearby quarry shortly after 6am the following morning, Saturday 31 March 1973.

A spokesperson from the PSNI’s Legacy Investigation Branch said: “I appreciate this murder took place over 50 years ago but we would like to talk to anyone who was at the dance at Hadden’s Garage on the night of Friday, 30 March 1973.

“Marian went there with a girlfriend to listen to her brother’s band. 

“Did you see who she was dancing with or speaking with? Did you see her leave the dance with a man? Do you know who he was? Did you see her in the car park at the quarry any time after 1.15am on the Saturday morning?

“Additionally, do you remember anyone who was at the dance returning home distressed or with dirt on their clothes? Has anyone ever talked about the events of that night?”

The spokesperson remarked that Marian’s family “deserve to know what happened to her that night” and appealed to anyone who may be able to help progress the investigation and “bring some closure to the Beattie family to come forward”.

Detectives can be contacted in the North by calling 101.

A report can be submitted online at www.psni.police.uk/makeareport and via Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or online at www.crimestoppers-uk.org.