Revealing the name and confession of a man who admitted killing a three-year-old more than five decades ago has been a hard choice for a grieving family.

Under privilege in the NSW parliament and with the blessing of Cheryl Grimmer's family, MP Jeremy Buckingham identified the suspect known by the pseudonym "Mercury" and read out his confession to police in 1971.

Mercury was accused of abducting and murdering Cheryl while she enjoyed a day at the beach with her mother and three brothers in January 1970.

But he never faced trial after a court ruled the then-teenager's confession could not be used.

After Mr Buckingham's speech, Cheryl's brother Paul Grimmer broke down in tears and was unable to get through a prepared media statement.

His wife Linda gently wrapped her arm around him and

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