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Murder has ‘cast a shadow’ over town

Thursday, 19 January 2012

Simon Tang died after being beaten and robbed in June 1996 SA0311

THE racist murder of a Chinese businessman in Carrickfergus in 1996 has "cast a shadow" over the town which will not be lifted until the killers are caught, a PSNI detective has said.
Detective Chief Inspector Gary Crawford made the comment as he appealed to members of the public to come forward with information on the murder of Simon Tang (28) who was beaten and robbed as he left his takeaway business on the Woodburn Road on 24 June 1996.
He was taken to hospital but died the following day, leaving a wife and two sons.
Police have re-opened the investigation into the murder saying they need help from members of the public to find the killers.
The attack was carried out by two youths who stole the night's takings and Mr Tang's watch. To date, no one has been charged with the murder.
Members of the Chinese community have raised £15,000 to offer as a reward for information leading to the capture of the killers of Mr Tang.
Detectives have identified new lines of enquiry and believe people in the local community are still reluctant to come forward with information.
The officer in charge, Detective Chief Inspector Gary Crawford, said: "We are making progress but we need people to tell us what they know about Simon's murder and who was involved. I would appeal to everyone in the community to think about what they know and do the right thing and provide any information to police. We will take it from there.
“This was a racist attack on a decent man going about his lawful business. It robbed Simon Tang of his life and it deprived his family of the love and support they deserve.
“It is also casting a shadow over the entire community in Carrickfergus who want nothing to do with racism or criminality. But it is a shadow which can be lifted if people come forward and tell us what they know."
'Racist motive'
The chief inspector acknowledged that in 1996 police had said the killing was not racist but since then the Macpherson Report into the murder of Stephen Lawrence in London had resulted in an increase in the number incidents treated as racist by police. The detective added that police had also received information from the public which "suggested a racist motive."
Chief Inspector Crawford said a woman had telephoned the Mater Hospital in Belfast soon after the attack enquiring about "the condition of a Chinese man beat up in Carrick". The detective said the Carrick woman knows "what happened and who was involved". He continued: "This person knows something significant - we will do all we can to trace this person."
Mr Tang's brother-in-law, Dean Lee, spoke out last September about how the murder had devastated the victim's family.
He said: "Simon was a great guy, young, just starting out on life with a young family. He was actually a graduate from Oxford University in architecture.
“He was planning to develop a career in architecture at some point but he stepped in to help his in-laws run the family business as his mother in law was of retiring age.
“A young family need to put food on the table and that's why he was working in the catering industry although he could have pursued a career elsewhere.
“He was much loved by customers and other Chinese friends and family throughout the community in Northern Ireland. He was just a hard-working, decent, ordinary bloke."
Carrickfergus councillors have appealed for members of the public to give any information they can to police.
Independent councillor Billy Hamilton said: "It was a nasty, vicious, ugly attack on someone who was minding their own business and trying to make a living. I would appeal to anyone who knows anything about the killing to contact the police and let them know."
DUP councillor Billy Ashe said: "I think that it is important that the family get closure and it is only appropriate that if anyone has information that they pass it on to the authorities."

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