Sisters make TV appeal over mum killed 30 years ago

Two sisters will tonight make an emotional appeal over the murder of their mum 30 years ago.

Antoinette Smith, 27, was last seen in Dublin City Centre at 2.15am on July 12, 1987.

After she went to the David Bowie gig in Slane earlier that day, she went to the La Mirage nightclub on Parnell Street with some friends.

She left the club at around 2.15am and never returned home.

On April 3, 1988, her body was found in a drain next to a turf-cutters’ road on Glendoo Mountain, near the Lemass monument outside Enniskerry

The murder of their mother, whose body was found in the Dublin mountains nearly a year later, robbed them of their childhood but they won’t rest until the killer is brought to justice, they said on tonight’s Crimecall on RTE One.

Lisa said: “We had a stolen childhood, but it’s like they’ve stolen some of our adulthood as well because for us it doesn’t go away.

"You were always aware that you were different. That there was someone missing. Growing up was strange.

“Because you see all your friends with their Mams, and their Dads, your school plays or your football matches.

“We never got to experience that with our Mam. Rachel, God love her, has missed out on a hell of a lot.”

Rachel added: “I was four at the time. Basically I wouldn’t have much of a memory of her, but the ones I go on are what my sister’s told me.

“It’s hard growing up without her. She’s missed so many big occasions in our lives, like big birthday celebrations like our 18th, our 21st, our 30ths. Basically she’s missed so much.”

Lisa continued: “I’m 37 now and it’s like I’ve lived my life without her. It’s crazy to think I’ve had a lifetime without my Mam.

“It’s heartbreaking to think that two young kids who are now adults still have no sense of closure. To me closure is catching the person.”

Rachel added: “It would mean a great deal to us because it would mean we can actually put her to rest, she can rest in peace. And it means we can move on.”

Anyone with information are asked to contact the confidential Crimestoppers on 1800 25 00 25.

Crimecall is on RTE One tonight at 9.35pm.