Tunnel hunt for murder suspect

Feb 11 2009 by Sue McCann, Birkenhead News

Tunnel hunt for murder suspect

POLICE used diggers to excavate tunnels and air raid shelters in Bidston last Tuesday in their hunt for a murder suspect.

Officers have already scoured Merseyside and the south coast in the efforts to find Gary Finlay, who is wanted in connection with the stabbing of Graham McKenna, of Claughton.

The 45-year-old was stabbed in front of his teenage son as they made their way to watch Everton play Hull City on Saturday, January 10.

The latest twist in the search for Finlay follows an appeal on the BBC’s Crimewatch programme.

Mr McKenna and his son Michael, 14, had been ambushed in Upton Road, Claughton, as they made their way to catch the Soccerbus to Goodison Park. They were attacked and found collapsed in nearby Speedwell Road.

Michael, a pupil at Ridgeway High School, Noctorum, survived despite being stabbed five times.

His father, a former soldier, was taken to Arrowe Park Hospital but died later.

A spokesman for Merseyside Police said there are old air raid shelters beneath Bidston Hill and officers had begun a detailed search of the tunnels. It is thought two entrances had been tampered with.

It is understood Finlay had grown up in the area and would be familiar with the network of tunnels and shelters.

Wirral was given funds in 1941 to establish two deep air raid shelters, one in Tranmere and the other under Bidston Hill’s Rhododendron Garden, its entrance facing Hoylake Road.

Anyone with information about Finlay’s whereabouts should call police on 777 2263 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.