Inga Maria Hauser’s family ‘has trust’ in new inquest into backpacker’s murder

The family of a German backpacker murdered in Northern Ireland has “trust and considerable hope” that a new inquest can deliver long-awaited answers about her death, a coroner has heard.

The body of Inga Maria Hauser was found in a remote forest in Co Antrim 14 days after she was last seen alive on a ferry from Scotland.

The 18-year-old’s death in April 1988 remains one of the region’s most high-profile unsolved murders.

Coroner Joe McCrisken convened a pre-inquest review hearing on Monday ahead of a fresh inquest into the Munich teenager’s death.

Ms Hauser’s sister Friederike was among those who observed proceedings at Belfast Coroners’ Court by videolink.

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“I spoke to Friederike just before we attended the court, she was extremely nervous and anxious, as is to be expected,” said Ms McKeegan.

“Her family have lived through this nightmare since 1988.”

She added: “The family just want the truth. They just want the people who are responsible for this brutal murder to be brought to justice.

“The family are grateful that this process has commenced, apprehensive and desperate for the truth.”

Late SDLP Assembly member John Dallat was a central figure in the campaign to secure justice for Ms Hauser.

He daughter, SDLP councillor Helena Dallat O’Driscoll, has continued to pursue the case and attended Monday’s hearing.

Also in attendance were family members of murdered Co Down hairdresser Lisa Dorrian, who went missing from a caravan park in Ballyhalbert, Co Down, in 2005.

Ms Dorrian’s father John and sister Joanne were in court as the long-awaited inquest proceedings for Ms Hauser formally commenced.

The next review hearing has been listed for January 22.