The family of murdered Co Down man Wayne Boylan have said the circumstances of his death remain “so painfully vivid” five years on from the gun attack.
The 37-year-old died after being shot in the head at a house in the Lower Dromore Road area of Warrenpoint on January 18, 2019.
A female friend who was in the house at the time was also injured in the attack, after being struck with shotgun pellets.
To date, no-one has been charged in connection with the murder, and the Crimestoppers charity is offering a reward of up to £20,000 for information that can lead to a successful prosecution. The reward has also been extended to include information on the injuries sustained by Mr Boylan’s friend.
Mr Boylan’s family said in a statement on the anniversary of his death: “It has been five years now since Wayne was cruelly taken from us. It’s been the longest five years and yet, at the same time, it feels like yesterday.
“It’s all so painfully vivid. The sadness just doesn’t go away, and we miss Wayne every single day.
“Wayne was brutally killed. He didn’t deserve to have his life taken at the hands of others, no one does.
“Those who carried out this cowardly and cruel murder are dangerous. There’s nothing that can bring Wayne back to us, but these people deserve to be brought to justice, and they deserve to be behind bars. We, as a family, can only appeal for your help, which could make all the difference. If you have any information at all, if you know what happened and who was responsible, please come forward.”
PSNI Detective Chief Inspector Anthony Kelly said of Mr Boylan: “He had been spending an evening with friends when two masked attackers, armed with a shotgun, burst into the house. This was just before 7.30pm.
”Wayne was shot in this shocking and cold-blooded attack and, sadly, died at the scene.
”Pellets from the blasts also struck a woman, Wayne’s friend, in the face and neck. She subsequently had to undergo emergency surgery, and remained critically ill for some time.”
He added: ”One young life was cut short, another seriously injured, and others could all too easily have been killed that tragic evening.
“This fatal shooting left a loving family bereft. Their lives changed forever when Wayne was murdered. And, five years on, they understandably remain heartbroken.
”I am asking you to do the right thing and come forward with information. I know people may be frightened to take this step, and I’m keen to stress that you can contact Crimestoppers, who are independent of police, with complete anonymity.”
Information can be offered by calling police on 101, and Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
