On the first anniversary of the cold-blooded murder of Paul Reilly, police are re-appealing for witnesses.

It was Thursday 18th January 2001, at about 7:30 in the evening, when three masked men burst into the home of Paul Reilly on Hall Meadow, Cheadle Hulme and shot him dead as he watched television. Three bullets were fired before the criminals escaped, it is believed in a R registration silver three door Rover 200.

At the same time, a man of Mediterranean appearance was seen acting suspiciously in a car. He had the seat reclined and the driver's side window open a few inches, perhaps acting as a lookout for the armed men. The vehicle - a dark Vauxhall Cavalier - was then seen speeding away from Hall Meadow, turning first into Chedlee Drive and then left onto Turves Road. Neither the gunmen, the driver nor the Cavalier have been seen since.

Detectives believe that one of the cars was the same vehicle as one stolen two days prior. In that instance a black, G registration Vauxhall Cavalier with tinted windows and a body skirt was stolen from Thurloe Street in Rusholme. Police further believe that it and its lone driver played an "integral role" in the murder.

Authorities are particularly keen to find the black Cavalier and ask if anyone remembers seeing it since it was stolen - maybe parked in a side street, or for sale in a local garage.

There is a £10,000 reward for information which leads to the arrest and conviction of those responsible for Paul Reilly's death.

Incident room @ Longsight police: 0161 856 4343.

___________________________________________________

Do you have a comment to make on the issues raised by this story? Please contact