Coen man Thomas Byrnes, 62, charged with alleged murder of Allison Bernard

The 62-year-old man charged with murder following the suspicious disappearance of Allison Bernard in 2013 has been flown into Cairns under police escort arriving in thongs, high-vis and handcuffs. Watch the moment he was arrested.

Police have arrested Coen man Thomas Byrnes and charged him with the alleged murder of Cape York woman Allison Bernard, but have not yet located Ms Bernard’s body.

Police arrested the 62-year-old at a Coen property on Tuesday.

Ms Bernard, 23, was last seen at the Archer River Quarry about 11pm on Sunday, February 10, 2013.

Police say she had been seen at Coen’s Exchange Hotel with Mr Byrnes earlier that day and was expected to travel to Kowanyama soon after, but she did not arrive.

Police searches that followed her disappearance, including forensic examination and excavation of areas near Coen in the past 12 months, have not yet located any sign of Ms Bernard, Detective Acting Superintendent Mick Searle said.

Allison Bernard was last seen in 2013.

“(Police) are still urging anyone with information to contact police,” Mr Searle said.

“There may be people who have important information … who have not come forward. We encourage them to do so. Her family members deserve the respect of having the questions surrounding (Ms Bernard’s) disappearance answered.”

Mr Searle did not outline exact police allegations in relation to the murder charge.

Police could also not say if officers had recovered any weapons or items allegedly used to murder Ms Bernard, because the matter was before the court.

Former Archer River Quarry caretaker Thomas Byrnes arrives at the Cairns Coroners Court on Monday, April 4, 2022.

“The facts of the investigation will be played out through the prosecution (of Mr Byrnes),” Mr Searle said.

Police have faced intense criticism from Ms Bernard’s family and her community about the adequacy of their investigations, particularly in the immediate aftermath of her disappearance.

CCTV footage from the Exchange Hotel in Coen of Archer River Quarry caretaker Thomas Byrnes and missing Kowanyama woman Allison Bernard, captured on February 10, 2013. Picture: File photo

Mr Searle dismissed any suggestions police had not made appropriate efforts because Ms Bernard was an Indigenous person, and said the arrest of Mr Byrnes was not forced by mounting pressure to make an investigative breakthrough after eleven years.

“This matter has been going on for a long time. A coronial inquest has been opened in relation to this matter as well. We’ve been working in conjunction with the coroner through her directions and independently of that through our own investigations to continue this matter,” he said.

“Evidence and inquiries that have been elicited through that investigation has led to (the arrest).

Ms Bernard's mother Edwina Bernard and uncle Teddy Bernard attended the first day of the coronial inquest into Ms Bernard's disappearance. Picture: Brendan Radke

“The arrest of the man is probably the first significant breakthrough but we are still chasing more.

“I think we have to recognise, and it’s been well documented, there were some challenges and shortcomings through the initial investigation … that’s subsequently been reviewed and now every bit of information and every investigative strategy that we use is very carefully analysed and assessed so that a very thorough lens is applied over everything.

“I’m not going to make any promises about further breakthroughs in timely fashions, we will continue to be as thorough as we possibly can.

Detective Acting Superintendent Mick Searle dismissed suggestions Mr Byrnes’ arrest was forced by mounting public pressure. Picture: Brendan Radke

“There were challenges in the initial investigation. The fact that Ms Bernard is an Indigenous woman has no impact on that.”

In 2023 police offered a $500,000 reward for evidence that assisted in solving Ms Bernard’s case.

“That reward is still current,” Mr Searle said.

“Since 2013 police have not given up looking for Ms Bernard. We recognise her disappearance has had a devastating impact on her family and community.

“While this matter is now before the courts, the investigation won’t stop.”

Mr Byrnes appeared in Cairns Magistrates Court on Wednesday, January 31 via videolink from Weipa Watchhouse.

Thomas Byrnes video grabs from 7.30 report ABC

He remained silent during the proceedings. No pleas were entered or applications for bail were made on his behalf.

Magistrate Terence Brown ordered a brief of evidence be delivered to Mr Byrnes’ defence lawyer by March 27.

The court heard that in addition to the murder charge, Mr Byrnes is also facing three charges, related to separate incidents, of possessing child exploitation material.

His matters were adjourned to April 19.

Originally published as Coen man Thomas Byrnes, 62, charged with alleged murder of Allison Bernard