Family call for inquest into murder of woman last seen on ferry from Stranraer to Larne

The family of a German teen who was murdered in Northern Ireland are looking for an inquest to be opened.

They are looking to find out what happened to Inga Maria Hauser, who was last seen on the ferry from Stranraer to Larne two weeks before her body was discovered in Ballypatrick Forest.

SDLP Councillor Helena Dallat O'Driscoll's late father was passionate about the case and for years sought to try and bring justice for Inga's family.

Helena is now taking on that mission, and she said: "It's very difficult not to believe there's not somebody out there with vital information.

"It could be the key to unlocking this terrible story and ensuring the perpetrator is brought to justice.

"Whilst they have been enjoying freedom this family has suffered incredibly so.

"Inga was a much loved woman when she came to Northern Ireland in the late 80s and everyone who cared for her wants to see a conclusion to what was a ruthless murder.

"I think it's important people know the affect that this case has had on the Hauser family.

"It's been simply horrendous.

"So much heartbreak has passed in those decades."

A 60-year-old man and a 57-year-old woman were previously investigated by the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) over the killing.

A file was passed to the Public Prosecution Service (PPS) in 2019, who in 2020 announced its decision not to pursue prosecutions.

In a statement the PPS said the police file was carefully considered by senior prosecutors but it was concluded that there was not a reasonable prospect of conviction for any offence.

It added that all decisions around prosecutions are taken by the application of the Test for Prosecution, as set out in the PPS Code for Prosecutors.

The PPS said there was not enough evidence to link the first suspect to the victim and that a lack of clarity around the date of Ms Hauser's death undermined the case against the suspect.

Meanwhile, the PPS concluded there was insufficient evidence to establish that the second suspect had possessed and withheld information that would have been of material assistance to the police investigation.

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