Renewed appeal over murder of Antoinette Smith

Gardaí are renewing their appeal for information in relation to the investigation into the murder of 27-year-old Antoinette Smith, whose remains were discovered on Glendoo Mountain, near the Lemass monument and close to Glencree/Enniskerry in Co Wicklow on 3 April 1988.

On Saturday, 11 July 1987, Antoinette and a friend attended the David Bowie concert in Slane, Co Meath.

They returned to Dublin by bus, arriving in Parnell Square at around 11pm.

They went to the La Mirage Discotheque on Parnell Street.

While in the club, they met two men that they knew. They joined the men's company and remained with them until they all left shortly after 2am.

Antoinette’s friend parted company when they left the club.

Antoinette remained for some time and spoke to the two men until all three walked the short distance to the taxi rank on O’Connell Street.

The men got a taxi to the Ballymun area, while Antoinette continued to walk by the Gresham Hotel on O’Connell Street towards O’Connell Street Bridge.

Antoinette was subsequently reported missing to gardaí by her husband.

She remained missing for nine months until her remains were discovered on Glendoo Mountain.

Antoinette was a mother of two young children, Lisa, who was only seven years old, and Rachel who was four years old at the time of their mother’s disappearance.

It is now 39 years since Antoinette Smith was last seen on O’Connell Street in Dublin.

Gardaí at Bray Garda Station are renewing their appeal to the public for assistance and information in relation to the disappearance and her murder.

Detective Inspector Seamus Ryan said: "We have an incident room opened at Bray Garda Station.

"We are reaching out to the public asking for information.

"If they have any piece of information for us, no matter how insignificant they feel it is it will of benefit to our investigation.

"We urge them to reach out and ring us here at Bray Garda Station and we treat everything in the strictest of confidence."

They are appealing to those who may have information since 1987, or who may have come into possession of information in the intervening years, to come forward.

"The mystery is exactly what occurred," Mr Ryan said.

"There is such a big gap in time which does not help our case but we investigate every strand in relation to this investigation and that's the reason we are reaching out to the public today all these years later and we continue to do so," he added.

They are urging individuals, who 39 years on, may want to come forward, to do so, especially if relationships and associations may have changed over the years.

Mr Ryan said: "We feel that someone out there does know something and who is to say over the intervening years allegiances may have changed and people's point of view may have differed somewhat.

"That is why we urge the public to come forward this time."

Anyone with information in relation to the murder of Antoinette Smith can contact gardaí in Bray at 01 666 5300, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111, or any garda station.