Appeal for information 26 years on from murder of RUC officer in Derry-Londonderry

By Q Radio News

Police have made a fresh appeal for witnesses to the murder of a young RUC officer on the 26th anniversary of his death.

21 year old Michael Ferguson was shot dead at point blank range while attending a shop lifting incident with colleagues  on Derry’s Shipquay Street on the 23rd of January 1993.

The Omagh-born Catholic Constable Michael Ferguson, one of three children, all police officers, died at the scene.

Today police renewed their appeal for witnesses and asked those who know anything to examine their conscience.

Detective Inspector Conor Sweeney from the PSNI’s Legacy Investigation Branch called on anyone with information to come forward....

A reconstruction of the murder will take place tomorrow morning on a Shipquay Street.

Police have renewed an appeal for info on IRA murder of RUC officer Michael Ferguson (21) in 1993.
Constable Ferguson, a Catholic officer from Omagh, was shot at point blank range in Derry’s Shipquay Street in front of shoppers. DI Conor Sweeney outlines what happened that day pic.twitter.com/cJ06cKa3K3

— Leona O'Neill (@LeonaONeill1) 19 January 2019

The Senior Investigating Officer, Detective Inspector Conor Sweeney from Legacy Investigation Branch said: “Michael, along with two colleagues, were attending a call to the Richmond Centre at around 2pm.  Michael remained on the street when his two colleagues entered the shopping centre.  A lone gunman approached Michael from behind and shot him twice in the back of the head.

The gunman made off on foot along Shipquay Street before entering Castle Street in the direction of the Bogside.

A portrait of 21-year-old murdered RUC Constable Michael Ferguson hangs in Strand Road PSNI station. Today police renewed their appeal into the 1993 IRA murder of the young Omagh police officer on Derry’s Shipquay Street pic.twitter.com/X37P8xnAR7

— Leona O'Neill (@LeonaONeill1) 19 January 2019

“We are following a number of definite lines of enquiry and I believe we are extremely close to progressing criminal justice action against Michael’s killers.

“My appeal today is aimed at the local people of Derry/Londonderry who were in Shipquay Street on the day Michael was murdered.  The gunman did not have his face covered and was wearing a distinctive green jacket.  I believe that someone knows who this gunman was.

“Michael was a young man murdered while responding to a reported theft from a local shop. I would ask everyone listening to just stop and think about that for a second. Murdered for no other reason than he was providing a service to help local businesses, local community and local people.

“In the years since Michael’s murder, circumstances and allegiances may have changed, people’s lifestyles change and I want those who know who was involved that day to search their consciences and come forward to the police. I am aware that time has passed since the murder but it is not too late, if anyone now feels they are able to talk to us, we are ready to listen.

“To those involved I would appeal to them to do the right thing and make a difference to Michael’s family. They will no longer have to live with the worry that someday soon police are going to knock on their door.”

Police have released an Artist's impression of  the suspect behind the killing: