Sister of Murdered Woman Holds Out Hope for Closure on 30th Anniversary of Disappearance
- Arlene Arkinson, a 15-year-old teen, went missing in 1994 after a disco in Bundoran, County Donegal.
- Her family continues the search for her, hoping for any leads or information on her whereabouts.
- The case of Arlene Arkinson remains unsolved for many years, causing distress and anguish to her loved ones.
Kathleen Arkinson, sister of Arlene Arkinson, who was murdered three decades ago, expressed her unwavering hope that her sister's remains will eventually be discovered. In July 2021, an inquest determined that Arlene was killed by Robert Howard, a convicted child killer and rapist who passed away in 2015. Howard, who was acquitted of Arlene's murder in 2005, was the last person seen with her before her disappearance. Kathleen emphasized the need for Arlene to receive a proper burial, stating, "deep in my heart, I believe some day Arlene will be found." Recent searches for Arlene's body, including one by An Garda Síochána in May 2024 in County Donegal, have yielded no results. The family's solicitor, Des Doherty, highlighted the need for renewed attention to the case, urging Justice Minister Naomi Long to reconsider her decision against a public inquiry. He noted that the family feels trapped in a "legal void" and believes that a public inquiry could bring new information to light regarding both Howard's actions and the legal system's handling of the case. Justice Minister Long acknowledged the family's trauma over the past 30 years and stated that her decision against a public inquiry was made after careful consideration of the family's concerns. Meanwhile, the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) reiterated their commitment to the investigation, expressing frustration over the lack of closure in Arlene's case.