Mum exhumed 34yrs after her murder...
Fresh hope for Marie’s family as postmortem carried out
THE family of a mother of two who was murdered more than 30 years ago believe the person who strangled her to death is still alive.
Marie Tierney’s siblings have pleaded with the killer to “do the right thing and hand yourself in”.
Breda Fay and John Bourke were speaking as gardai exhumed their sister’s body yesterday in the hunt for clues.
They said: “We strongly believe her murderer is alive. You know who you are and we are asking you to please come forward.
“Hand yourself in for the sake of her children, her grandchildren and all her family. We need justice for Marie.”
Detectives began their work in Conahy graveyard at 6am and after a postmortem the remains were reinterred in the cemetery.
Family members were joined by local curates and gardai as prayers were said during a short ceremony at the graveside.
The Kilkenny woman was reported missing on October 22, 1984, by her husband Jim.
The body of the 34-year-old was found in a ditch by a man walking on Bleach Road on the outskirts of the city on December 21.
She had been strangled to death after she left her home at Clinstown, Jenkinstown, in the family car on October 21. The Renault 18 was found in Newpark Fen the next day.
To date more than 500 lines of investigative inquiry have been opened and over 200 statements recorded.
New witnesses have come forward during the cold case investigation which started last December.
It is hoped advances in forensic science will help gardai gather evidence that may be crucial to prosecuting the killer.
A Garda spokesman appealed to people with information who have not yet made themselves known to officers or who, for whatever reason, were unable to make themselves available earlier, to get in touch.
He said: “With the passage of time relationships may have changed or circumstances may have changed which may enable persons to come forward with information to gardai that they may not have done previously.
“Time may have given context to something they felt was unimportant at the time but may be of assistance to the investigation.
“We have previously had great assistance from the public in Kilkenny in relation to similar serious crimes.
“We wish to thank the community at large and the media for their assistance then and we again seek their help in this case.”
The exhumation of bodies involves a complex application process and is only allowed in the rarest of circumstances.
Investigating gardai applied to Kilkenny County Council for a licence and a ministerial order was also required
You know who you are
and we are asking you to please come forward
BREDA FAY AND JOHN BOURKE YESTERDAY
and granted by the Department of Justice.
The law requires the exhumation to be carried out “with due care and decency, and in such a manner as not to endanger public health”.
An environmental protection officer from the local council must be present to supervise the process.
A special coffin, lined with zinc and known as a “shell”, is then used to transport the remains.
A forensic anthropologist, a State pathologist, gardai from the Technical Bureau and a forensic scientist from Forensic Ireland Ltd were all in attendance yesterday.
The exhumed body must then be reburied or cremated within 48 hours.
As part of the murder investigation house-to-house inquiries have taken place in a number of areas including Bleach Road, Conahy, Ballyragget Road, Lovers’ Lane, Old Newpark and Newpark.
Insp Liam Connolly is heading the probe and is continuing to liaise with the Tierney and Bourke families.
Chief Supt Dominic Hayes said every resource necessary has been deployed.
He added: “It is incumbent on us we put a huge effort into solving this murder for Marie’s family.
“I have no doubt we will have a successful outcome.”
The Garda Press Office said no arrests have been made in connection with the investigation.
The force revealed in April new witnesses had come forward with fresh information.
One of them said two vehicles were observed at the spot where Ms Tierney was suspected to have disappeared.
Supt Derek Hughes added: “Those witnesses have come forward and imparted very useful information to us and, as a consequence of that, we’re appealing for information on the occupants of two vehicles a cyclist observed on the Jenkinstown to Ballyragget Road at approximately 10.30pm.
“These two vehicles – one of which is reported as being a blue Renault car – passed the cyclist close to a location known as Odagh Church.”
Sources have told the Irish Mirror it is most likely Marie knew the person who murdered her.
One said: “This wasn’t a random incident – it is almost certain she knew who killed her and that is critical because they are from the locality.
“Someone in that community knows what happened and all it will take is for them to come forward and help the investigation.
“The file has been broken down and put back together – all the evidence has been re-evaluated with fresh eyes.
“New statements have been taken and new lines of inquiry have been examined. It is all about coming at it with new eyes.”
Anyone with information is asked to contact Garda in Kilkenny on 056 777 5000 or called the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111.