Tom Kirwan murder: Family's heartache and hope, three years on from killing

Factory worker Mr Kirwan was knifed to death outside the Uberra Club, Wolverhampton, in the early hours of the morning of July 8, 2012.

On the fateful night a woman's handbag had been knocked over inside the venue.

It sparked a mass brawl in the streets outside that involved more than a dozen people.

During the fighting Mr Kirwan was fatally stabbed, but despite numerous police appeals for information no one has ever stood before a court charged with his murder.

The popular 23-year-old's death sent shockwaves throughout the city.

Hundreds of mourners attended his funeral, with the service so well attended it had to be relayed on loudspeakers to those outside.

But for Mr Kirwan's family and friends the grief over his death is still acutely felt three years down the line.

Without a conviction for his murder they have been deprived of any sense of closure, although their collective resolve remains as strong as ever.

In recent days Mr Kirwan's fiancée, Jade Elwell and his mother, Emer, have re-visited the site where he was killed and left a Wolves scarf and flowers at his memorial.

Speaking to the Express & Star on the third anniversary of Mr Kirwan's murder, Detective Inspector Warren Hines, who leads the investigation, said: "We remain as committed as ever to finding who did this awful crime and bringing them to justice.

"We haven't got any further in terms of charging anyone, but both myself and my staff feel as passionate as we did three years ago about finding who did this.

"Our position remains the same. Any information we get, we will act upon. I would urge anyone who has information about Tom's murder to contact us."

Last year, five people were jailed for taking part in a street brawl that happened during the lead up to Mr Kirwan's murder.

For them returning to the site has become a ritual; a symbol of their refusal to give up hope that one day justice will finally catch up with Mr Kirwan's killer.

"We will never give up hope that Tom's killer will be found," said Miss Elwell, 24, from Wednesfield. "It is three years ago but it feels like yesterday. We are living with it every minute of our lives.

"We have been back outside the club and put up a tribute with flowers and a scarf for Tom.

"It's our way of showing we are determined that his memory will live on. People pass through Wolverhampton on the ring road and know that he won't be forgotten.

"We just pray that one day someone might have a conscience and come forward."

Last year five people were locked up for taking part in trouble outside the Uberra club, now The Boatyard, that took place just a few feet away from where Mr Kirwan was killed.

Another man accused of being involved in the fighting was acquitted last month.

Although police have vowed to keep searching for Mr Kirwan's killer, Miss Elwell says the family feel let down by the system.

They have contacted solicitors with a view to making a formal complaint to the Crown Prosecution Service about the lack of progress on the investigation.

"We have attended court for trials and seen people jailed for fighting that happened near to where Tom was killed," she said.

"We feel neglected by the police and for us there are questions about the investigation that need to be answered. The police have said they will never close the investigation, but we feel they could have done more.

"In terms of finding the person who did this, nothing has been achieved."

The family has also launched a fundraising drive to built up a pot of cash to offer as a reward in the Justice for Tom Kirwan campaign.

Last month £2,000 was raised at a charity football match featuring TK Wanderers – a Sunday League team consisting of Mr Kirwan's family members and friends.

And more than £1,800 has been raised via a Go Fund Me page that was set up by his aunt, Caroline Mills.

Every year a number of events are held in Mr Kirwan's memory. There have been tribute nights at the city's ECC club and a candlelit vigil, while former Wolves player Jody Craddock planted a commemorative tree on land next to Little's Lane, off St Patrick's Ring Road.

Miss Elwell also made an eight-minute video telling the story of the past three years in a bid to keep the campaign in the public eye. It has been watched tens of thousands of times on Facebook.

"We will continue to fight this ourselves," Miss Elwell said.

"The more we can do to keep his memory alive the better the chance of someone coming forward with information.

"Hopefully the reward will encourage one of the witnesses who were there that night to speak to the police."

Since Mr Kirwan's death his younger brother Brooklen – who was acquitted last year of an affray charge linked with events that led up to the tragedy – has got engaged and qualified as an electrician.

His older brother Danny was married in May, the same month that Mr Kirwan would have celebrated his 26th birthday.

"Everyone in the family has got to get on with their lives but we all still live with the pain of what happened," Miss Elwell added.

"It's heartbreaking for all of us. There are so many reminders. His birthday would have been last month. As time passes We have tried to put things in perspective but it doesn't get any easier.

"Tom's brothers have got married and he would have been so proud. We had planned to get married. The memories are always there and they will always be there."