'This will not stop us' - Family's vow after Tom Kirwan appeal posters torn down
Appeal posters over the murder of Tom Kirwan have been repeatedly taken down in a community – bringing more heartache to the family.
Around 400 posters were put up on lamp-posts and in pubs and shops across Wolverhampton from October, appealing for information over his death.
But the family have today revealed dozens in Whitmore Reans have had to be replaced on ‘two to three occasions’ after being pulled down.
Mr Kirwan was stabbed to death outside the former Uberra nightclub six years ago. No-one has ever been charged with his murder.
His mother, Emer, who launched a fresh appeal for information with police last week, said: “We have put up around 400 posters, but many of them keep getting ripped down.
“Some of them have had to be replaced on two to three occasions.
“It is upsetting. We are trying to get our appeal out there, find answers and get witnesses to come forward because Tom needs justice.
“It has been six years and no-one has come forward, it has left us with the life sentence, a life with Tom gone forever.”
His grandmother Anne Tedford said the posters pulled down were mainly in the Whitmore Reans area.
She said: “It is not accidental, scissors are being used to cut the posters from lamp-posts. It shows somebody has got scared. That someone wants them down to stop anyone thinking of coming forward with information we need.”
She added: “But we will keep going. This will not stop us.”
The posters put up from last October displayed a £15,000 reward, including £10,000 raised by the family.
Posters were put up also in Pendeford, Bushbury and Bilston. They featured a Wolves emblem, the team Mr Kirwan supported, and an anti-knife symbol. A message read: “There’s a murderer on the loose lets get the scum off the streets.”
New posters were being put up last week by police in the city following a fresh appeal on the 29th birthday of Mr Kirwan.
After Crimestoppers put up an extra £5,000, the reward now stands at £20,000.
Detective Superintendent Tom Chisholm said: “Over the years we have studied hours of CCTV and the movements of people around the area on that night.
"We have taken statements from hundreds of witnesses and revisited all of the forensic evidence.
"But our investigation has never closed and every new piece of evidence will be reviewed.”
