THIRTY YEARS AGO mother of two Antoinette Smith never returned home after she went to Slane concert to see Bowie.
Her body was found almost a year later on 3 April 1988 in a drain next to a turf-cutters’ road on Glendoo Mountain, near the Lemass monument outside Enniskerry.
Her two daughters, who were 4 and 7 at the time, are pleading for information from the public to help find whoever killed their mother.
The 27-year-old was last seen wearing a David Bowie T-shirt, dark blue denim jeans, a denim jacket and navy blue high heels.
She went to the La Mirage nightclub on Parnell Street with some friends after the concert. She left the club around 2.15am that night but never returned home.
‘You see all your friends with their Mams’
Speaking on Crimecall, Antoinette’s daughter Lisa said, “We had a stolen childhood, but, it’s like they’ve stolen some of our adulthood as well because for us it doesn’t go away.
You were always aware that you were different. That there was someone missing. Growing up was strange. Because you see all your friends with their Mams, and their Dads, your school plays or your football matches.
Rachel said, “I was four at the time. Basically I wouldn’t have much of a memory of her, but the ones I go on are what my sister’s told me.
It’s hard growing up without her. She’s missed so many big occasions in our lives, like big birthday celebrations like our 18th our 21st our 30th’s. Basically she’s missed so much.
Lisa said, “I’d be lying if I said we didn’t struggle. We do. Everyday. Because it’s always there, it doesn’t go away. Because the person that did it is still out there.
I’m 37 now and it’s like I’ve lived my life without her. It’s crazy to think I’ve had a lifetime without my Mam. It’s heartbreaking to think that two young kids who are now adults they still have no sense of closure. To me closure is catching the person.
Rachel added, “It would mean a great deal to us because it would mean we can actually put her to rest, she can rest in peace. And it means we can move on.”
Gardaí are appealing directly to those who may know what happened to Antoinette.
Anyone with information can give it confidentially and anonymously on the Crimestoppers telephone line on 1800 25 00 25.
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