Detectives from the PSNI's Major Investigation Team have made a renewed appeal for information on the murder of Martin Conlon. Tuesday's fresh appeal comes on the 18th anniversary of Mr Conlon's murder, and is backed by a reward of up to £20,000 from the independent charity Crimestoppers. Martin Conlon was murdered in the Keady area of South Armagh on Monday 7 November 2005. He was found by members of the public, just after 6:30pm, lying unconscious on the Farnaloy Road. The 35-year-old had sustained gunshot wounds to the head and was taken to hospital but died upon arrival.
A spokesperson for the PSNI said detectives believe Mr Conlon was bundled into the back of his own silver Volkswagen car in the Greenpark Crest area, just off the Monaghan Road in Armagh, by two masked men. Detective Chief Inspector Anthony Kelly further explained the car was them driven by one of the men to the Farnaloy Road where Martin was shot and abandoned.
Mr Conlon's parents have passed away since the 2005 murder of their son without seeing anyone brought to justice for his murder. Calling it a "calculated, ruthless and cold-blooded murder" which took place at a time when members of the public would have been out and about, Chief Inspector Kelly asked people to search their consciences.
He appealed for people to "please imagine, for just one minute, the loss and heartache that Martin's loving family have endured."
Acknowledging that it is difficult for people to come forward, the officer highlighted the support of independent charity Crimestoppers in offering a £20,000 reward for information leading to arrest and conviction of those responsible.
A spokesperson for the charity said "With Crimestoppers, computer IP addresses are never traced. Telephone calls are never recorded, there is no caller line display and no 1471 facility. The spokesperson reminded people their organisation is "independent of the police and guarantees complete anonymity".
"The reward will only be payable for information passed directly to Crimestoppers and not to the police. A reward code must be asked for when speaking to our Contact Centre or when completing an anonymous online form via our website." Anyone with information can contact Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or online at www.crimestoppers-uk.org.
