RAAD victim's mother 'let down' by PSNI

The mother of Londonderry man Andrew Allen who was killed by a republican vigilante group says she feels let down by the PSNI.

Donna Smith's son was shot dead four months ago in Co Donegal but she says she is disgusted that the police on this side of the border still haven't met with her.

The 24-year-old father of two was shot dead on 9 February at Links View Park, near Buncrana.

Originally from the Waterside area, Mr Allen was one of a number of Derry men forced into exile by the dissident group Republican Action Against Drugs (RAAD).

Since then, his mother has publicly urged people to work with and co-operate with the police in Northern Ireland.

But despite her very public support, the PSNI has not met with her.

I haven't had one person from the PSNI come to me and ask me anything or tell me anything. I haven't had no contact with them at all.

Donna Smith

"Not one person has come near me which I think is disgraceful."

The grieving mother says the only way forward is for the community to support the police - but she says that the relationship can only succeed if the support is reciprocated.

She continued: "I feel very, very let down. I feel very let down."

The PSNI say they have not yet met Donna Smith due to strict protocols preventing them from treading on an investigation in another jurisdiction.

An Garda Síochána is leading the murder inquiry because Mr Allen was shot dead across the border in Co Donegal.

However, it has now been agreed that PSNI detectives will meet her later this week to reassure her that every effort is being made to catch her son's killers.