Police have repeated their appeal for information on the murder of Dundee man John Kennedy, saying people can come forward without fear.
It has emerged that the 63-year-old Linlathen man, who was found dead at home on Sunday night, was known for selling contraband cigarettes from his Mossgiel Crescent home. This has led to concerns that people with vital information may be reluctant to make themselves known to investigating officers.
However, police insist they are only interested in catching the killer.
The renewed police appeal comes as neighbours say emotions in the area are running high. As the 50-strong dedicated police team continued to rake through Linlathen on Tuesday, some spoke of fears of vigilante-style repercussions.
Nicky Ross (37), who grew up with Mr Kennedy’s nephew Ian Gallacher, said: ”People still can’t believe it. He was such an innocent man.
“With (previous) stabbings we all knew before the police who did them but this time there’s no suggestion. That’s what’s beating everybody. There’s no one we can think of.
“Feelings are running high here. I hope police get someone before someone else does or we could have another murder on our hands.”
Another neighbour said: ”The police are doing the right thing. They need to find the person that did it. I hope they hang him.”
Ms Ross’s partner, Kenneth Thomson (35), said he had heard police had found a glove and hooded top in the back gardens between Mossgiel Crescent and Pitkerro Road but the man leading the investigation, Detective Inspector Gary Ogilvie, ruled it out as ”speculation”.
He said: ”Any clothes found is speculation. We will find items that may be of interest to us and we will take them away.”
He also dismissed a report that someone had found a knife in the street near where Mr Kennedy was killed and taken it to a flat in Pitkerro Drive.
Detectives have been investigating whether Mr Kennedy’s death may have been the result of a robbery gone wrong at the home where he ran a bootleg cigarette operation.
They say they have been encouraged by the response to their appeals for information, but they are urging those people who have not already contacted them to do so.
DI Ogilvie added: “Understandably, Mr Kennedy’s murder is the topic of conversation not only within the community that he lived in but throughout Dundee. We know that people are talking in the local area and with reporters about what they knew of the comings and goings at Mr Kennedy’s address.
“Those people need to know that the information they have could be of enormous value to our investigation and, if they haven’t already spoken with our officers, they should get in touch immediately.
“I am not in the least bit interested in who did or didn’t buy cigarettes from that address. I am concerned with catching a killer and the information that is out there will help us to make strides towards that.”No link with Provost Road incidentDI Ogilvie also stressed that there is no link between Mr Kennedy’s murder and a man’s death in Dundee’s Provost Road on Tuesday.
A woman 57-year-old has been charged after a 50-year-old man died after reports of a disturbance in a flat.
Di Ogilvie said: “While information is invaluable to our enquiries, rumour and speculation is not helpful. We are acutely aware that incidents such as this concern the people of Dundee when they happen. Murders are uncommon in Dundee and it is right that people are appalled when they happen where they live.
“But people should be reassured that our enquiries are making good progress and I would urge them to speak with the officers in the area if they have any concerns whatsoever.”
Anyone who has information is asked to contact police on 0300 111 2222, or speak to any officer. Alternatively they can call the charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
There is also a line on 01382 591941 which directs callers straight to the enquiry team during normal office hours and to the force communications centre outwith office hours.