The caring community of Govan has launched a campaign to replace the headstone of two children murdered in a 1970s botched robbery. 

Siblings John and Irene McMonigle, aged just 13 and 12, were beaten to death in their own home in 1976. 

The monster behind the murder, Alex Millar, was ordered to be detained without limit of life at the High Court later that year. He has remained in secure units ever since. 

The double-murder rocked the Govan community, with locals now raising cash through an online JustGiving page to give the kids "a headstone that they deserve". 

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Residents are looking to replace the current headstone, which the children share with other deceased family members. 

Organiser of the fundraiser, Grace Quigley, said: "The murders shocked and horrified the whole community. It was so tragic.

"Like many in Govan at that time, the family were living in condemned and almost empty tenements, which they were just about leave for a new house in Pollok. If they got their new house a week earlier, this would never have happened to John and Irene.

"Like many areas in Glasgow there has been many murders in Govan over the years, but this was different, it was a horrific and brutal murder of innocent children in their own home, many people felt that it could easily have been them or their children and the whole community had and still have real empathy for the family."

In just a matter of days since the fundraiser's launch, locals have raised over £1000. 

Devastated members of the community have shown their support towards the campaign. 

One person said: "Too long no to be recognised".

Another added: "John and Irene were our school pals. Gone but never forgotten".

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Grace added: "We thought a replacement stone would be a nice way to honour the memory of John and Irene, we first got the family’s permission and mentioned the idea about setting up a Gofundme page to the group, members of the group were very supportive of the idea and we set up the page a few weeks later.

"Their memory will live on forever in the community, but the headstone will provide a fitting prominent and tangible memorial that can be seen and visited, many Govanites are buried in St. Conval’s.

"I myself pass their grave when going to visit the graves of my step-father and father-in-law, I know many Govanites will stop by and pay their respects at the grave of John and Irene."

John and Irene's sister, Libby, has been "so overwhelmed by the kindness and love shown by everyone on the page".

Grace said: "I can't imagine what Libby has gone through and how it must have affected her, she was there with her dad when the bodies were discovered."

"What Libby witnessed was horrifying, she has also been fighting for many years to keep the murderer from being released from prison early, this must be draining for her."

Donate to the online fundraiser HERE.