THE parents of murdered Teresa De Simone have today said they are "struggling" to come to terms with recent events.

Teresa's mother Mary and stepfather Michael said in a statement: "Our loving daughter and step daughter was cruelly taken from us nearly thirty years ago.

"We are experiencing tremendously different emotions at this time and are struggling to come to terms with recent events.

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"One of the things that is causing us additional distress is references in the media to Teresa being a barmaid. This was only a part-time job that she had been doing for a few nights. She did in fact have an administrative role with the local Gas Board."

The couple said they were being supported by family and friends.