Daughter of woman murdered 13 years ago appeals for help to find her mother's killer

The daughter of a woman who was murdered 13 years ago in the midlands has launched an appeal for help to find her mother's killer.

Marie Kilmartin (35), who lived in Portlaoise, was last seen alive on the morning of Friday, December 17th, 1993, in Laois Shopping Centre in the town.

Her body was found in a bog at Pims Road, about half a mile off the Mountmellick-Portarlington road, six months later. She had been strangled and a concrete slab had been placed on her chest. Detectives believed that one or more individuals with local knowledge of the midlands may be responsible for her murder.

But despite an ongoing investigation, a media campaign and a reward offered for information leading to the discovery of her killer, gardaí have been unable to move the case forward.

Ms Kilmartin's daughter, Áine, who was adopted within her mother's extended family, yesterday handed out 1,000 leaflets around Portlaoise with information about her mother. She called for anyone with information related to the killing to contact gardaí.

"It is not too late. I want anyone to come forward with the slightest bit of information they have," she said.

"More than one person knows something about what happened to my mother. I am asking them to contact gardaí."

She said she was not aware of how much support she had in Portlaoise until she began handing out the leaflets.

Áine Kilmartin (26) was born in the town and was given up for adoption 13 years before her mother's death.

"I went to my mum's funeral but I didn't know then who she was," she said.

"Six years ago I found out for sure and this is how I am dealing with it today."

She launched a website yesterday - www.imom1512.com - dedicated to the memory of her mother, which aims to raise awareness of unsolved murder cases in Ireland.

She is also considering establishing a charity to help fund Garda investigations into unsolved murders.

"I wouldn't say a negative word about gardaí, they've been great, but I feel they are under-resourced. If they had more time to spend on cases they might get further," she said.

Meanwhile, the mother of a Limerick teenager who disappeared eight months ago has arranged a special Mass tomorrow to pray for information on the whereabouts of her son.

Mary Kelly has not seen her 17-year-old son Richard "Happy" Kelly since he left his home in O'Malley Park, Limerick, on April 23rd last.

He was last spotted at Daly's Cross on the outskirts of Limerick in the early hours of the following morning. His car was later found abandoned nearby.

Members of the Garda sub-aqua team carried out searches of parts of the river Shannon but nothing was uncovered.

Anyone with information on his whereabouts is asked to contact Roxboro Road Garda station at 061-214340.

The Mass will take place in Southill's Holy Family Church at noon tomorrow.