My son can't forget watching brother being driven away to death – our lives are torn & can't heal until we get justice
Ashley Dempsey, 53, told how her son Mark was just 12 when he saw Paul, 20, in a Mitsubishi Carisma with three other men in the Kilmartin Green area of Tallaght, south
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Paul Byrne driven away to his death on July 15, 2009
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Mark could never forget after witnessing his brother being taken away to his death
Credit: Journalist Collects
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Martina McQuillan was expecting the couple's second child at the time of his disappearance
Credit: Barry Mulvey
It was the last time
His devastated family had to hold off another three months before laying him to rest as they awaited the results of DNA testing.
As his family continues their quest for
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READ MORE ON PAUL BYRNE
Ashley has made a direct plea to those who saw Paul in the car that day, others who were present when he was killed, and others who know who was responsible for the
The mum of five said: 'Our lives have been torn apart. My son Mark will never forget seeing his eldest brother in the car that day.
'The last 16 years have been absolutely horrendous and I wouldn't wish this pain on anyone.
'We often see people we know have information, but they just turn their heads. How do they live with themselves?
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'There are mothers, grandmothers, partners and sisters who saw Paul that day and who know who killed him, but yet they have chosen to remain silent.
'As a mother, I am asking them to do what they can to help us, unburden their guilt and just come forward after all this time.
'HEARTS FOREVER BROKEN'
'Our hearts will forever be broken and we can't heal until someone is held accountable for robbing my precious son of a future with his daughters.'
At the time of Paul's disappearance, his partner
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Ashley said: 'Paul's eldest daughter has her debs coming up in September, and he should have been here for that.
'Paul's daughters have just missed out on so much over the years and they never got to know him — they were deprived of a loving father.'
'I WANT SOME ANSWERS'
As the Garda investigation continues, three of Paul's close relatives have spoken out for the first time about their terrible loss.
Dad-of-four Mark, who was just 12 when he saw Paul being driven in the car, recalled his memories.
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Mark said: 'When I saw my wonderful brother in the car that day, I would never have imagined it would be the last time I would have seen him.
'So many lives have been impacted by his murder and someone has to be held accountable. I have a tattoo of Paul, and my kids are asking me about it.
'The last 16 years have been absolutely horrendous and I wouldn't wish this pain on anyone."
Paul's mum Ashley
'But I can't tell them yet how he was taken from us.
'I was very young when this happened, but now that I am an adult, I want some answers.
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'All we are asking for is for someone to show some courage and come forward — even on an anonymous basis.
'My brother deserves justice.'
'DEVASTATED'
Sister Leah said: 'I wonder how the people who have kept this information to themselves all these years sleep at night.
'I wonder if they see my brother's face.
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'There was only a year between Paul and I, and we all just loved him so much.
'We shared the same friends and they have also been devastated.
'How can these people look at us in the street and know that they have the missing piece to the jigsaw that can bring some closure to so many lives?'
'WONDERFUL LAD'
And Neil Byrne paid tribute to his young nephew, saying: 'I was like an older brother to him and he was just a wonderful lad who was full of life.
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'His youngest daughter never got to meet her dad, and this is just heartbreaking.
'This whole nightmare has been soul-destroying for his kids, for his partner Martina, his friends, and our entire family.
'How can anyone live with the guilt and burden of having knowledge of a murder?'
ONGOING INVESTIGATION
Five people were arrested over Paul's death, but no one has ever been brought before the courts.
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Investigators also seized two cars as part of their probe, yet they have so far been unable to make a breakthrough in the murder case.
The prime suspect — said to be a local drug enforcer — spent time in the
The other four people also left the country after the killing. The
'I wonder how the people who have kept this information to themselves all these years sleep at night."
Paul's sister Leah
The ongoing case is being run by Det Insp Seamus Ryan and the team at Blessington Garda Station.
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The senior officer said: 'I have no doubt that there are people in the Tallaght community who have information on this callous murder, but have yet to come forward.
'I want to reassure anyone who has any information that they will be treated in a sensitive and confidential manner.'
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Paul's mum Ashley and an uncle Neil want justice for his murder
Credit: Gary Ashe-Commissioned by The Sun Dublin
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