Marian Beattie: Fresh appeal over 1973 murder of 18-year-old

Police have issued a fresh appeal for information around the unsolved murder of a teenager in Northern Ireland more than 50 years ago.

The body of Marian Beattie, 18, was discovered at the bottom of a quarry.

She had attended a charity dance at Hadden’s Garage in Aughnacloy, County Tyrone, on Friday 30 March 1973 to listen to her brother playing in the band.

The teenager, who had attended with a girlfriend, was last seen leaving with a young man just after 1am on the Saturday and walking in the direction of a nearby car park at the top of Hadden’s Quarry.

Her body was found at the bottom of the quarry – around 80-100ft below the car park – shortly after 6am on Saturday 31 March.

Detectives from Police Service of Northern Ireland’s (PSNI) Legacy Investigation Branch have issued a fresh appeal for information amid a review into the death.

Detective Inspector Thompson said: “I appreciate this murder took place over 50 years ago, but we would like to talk to anyone who was at the dance.

“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?”

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The detective urged all those with information to come forward in a bid to help give the Beattie family “some closure”.

DI Thompson added: “Marian’s family deserve to know what happened to her that night.”