THE mum of murdered schoolboy Joe McCafferty says she feels crushed after a nationwide appeal has failed to find his killer.

Tracey McCafferty has revealed that the Crimewatch programme which featured her son’s death at the hands of an arsonist has failed to provide the breakthrough she has longed for so much.

Joe died when flames swept through a house on Haywood Avenue in Marsh where he was staying with his, brother, cousins and aunt in May, 1997.

Despite repeated pleas for information, the case has never been cracked and the killer has continued to evade justice.

Tracey said: “I feel I’ve been strong for the last 13 years, but now I just feel crushed. To be honest, I’m in bits.

“The police did get a good response from Crimewatch, but no-one is telling us anything that we didn’t already know.

“It’s the same names that we already know about. I don’t feel enough has come back from the programme and I don’t think the police have anything to tell me.’’

But she has not given up hope that Joe’s killer will be caught.

“Someone still knows who did this and they are carrying that burden around with them every day,’’ she said. “They must tell the police what they know.’’

In the arson attack on May 3, 1997 – two days after Labour clinched power in the General Election – petrol was poured through the letterbox and set alight.

The case was featured on the Crimewatch programme weeks before what would have been Joe’s 21st birthday on October 30.

A West Yorkshire Police spokesman said: “We are still looking at the leads that were generated as a result of the Crimewatch appeal.’’

The case is now being headed by Det Supt Dave Pervin, from West Yorkshire Police’s homicide and major enquiry team.

During the programme Tracey paid tribute to Joe, saying: “Everybody used to love watching him because he was just a character. I used to see him in a morning and he had his big smile on his face.

“It used to make my day.”

Anyone with information should call the incident room on 01274 373700.

They can also call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111 or send a text message to 07786 200805.

l There are plans for a bench in memory of Joe to be placed at Harpe Inge in Dalton where the family used to live.

Tracey is organising a kids fun day on October 30 – what would have been Joe’s birthday – at the Dram Centre in Rawthorpe. Proceeds from the event will go towards the bench.