DETECTIVES in England are offering a £20,000 reward as they hunt for the truth over the mysterious disappearance of a Manchester Irishman.
Martin Joyce was last seen on September 5, 1999 at the Bank of England pub in the Ancoats area of Manchester.
There has been no trace of the second-generation Irishman since, however detectives believe he was murdered after being assaulted at the pub.
They launched a murder inquiry in October 2016 and conducted an excavation of the pub but no trace of Martin was found.
In March of this year, a 64-year-old man was interviewed under caution in connection with the investigation but no further action was taken.
Reward
Today, on the day Martin would have turned 48, Greater Manchester Police are offering a £20,000 reward for information that leads to Martin’s body being found or to the successful conviction of those responsible for his unlawful killing.
Detective Chief Inspector Stuart Wilkinson from GMP’s Major Incident Team hopes the reward will encourage someone to speak up.
He said: “Throughout this investigation we’ve kept an open mind around the circumstances that led to Martin’s death but how someone can live with themselves knowing exactly what happened to him for almost two decades and not come forward, I will never know.
“The fact of the matter is; someone, somewhere, knows. They may not have been directly involved but they will have information that needs to be passed onto us.
“Twenty years is an extremely long time and, over such a long period, friendships, relationships and allegiances may have changed.
“Whatever you know, whatever you have to tell us, we’ll be waiting for your call.”
'You're always in my heart'
DCI Wilkinson hopes the latest appeal will help Martin’s heartbroken family finally achieve closure.
“Don’t do it for me, for the police or for anyone else but Martin’s family,” he said.
“No-one can imagine what they’ve gone through, not knowing what happened to him.
“£20,000 is a life-changing amount of money. Give them the closure and the answers they deserve.”
Martin’s sister Mary, who saw him shortly before he set off for Ancoats, revealed she still thinks about her brother every day.
“Martin, I love you, not a day goes by that I don’t think about you,” she said.
“You’re always in my heart, always in my conversation.”
Anyone with information can call 0161 856 9908 and will be dealt with in strictest confidence.
Calls can also be made anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
