No arrests, no charges nearly four years after murder
THE Garda investigation into the murder of Detective Garda Adrian Donohoe is continues, but in the almost four years since the father-of-two’s killing at Lordship Credit Union, no-one has been arrested or charged.
In a report on RTE’s Prime Time last week, Fr Michael Cusack, a friend of the Donohoe family and the priest who officiated at Adrian’s funeral Mass, said it was ‘really quite shocking’ that no-one had been brought to justice for the murder.
In addition, Irish Daily Star crime editor, Michael O’Toole, said there was a ‘quiet confidence’ in the Gardai that the killer gang will be brought to justice, ‘no matter how long it takes’. He said three of those believed to be responsible are living in the USA and ‘seem to be getting on with their lives’, while a fourth suspect lives in the North and travels South quite frequently.
The Irish Daily Star revealed last month that one of the suspects is due to become a father in the USA. Fr Cusack said Adrian’s family have to ‘ live without their father every day’ and added their pain ‘ remains the same as it did on the day of the murder’.
The ‘frustration’ felt at the progress of the inquiry was acknowledged by Commissioner Noirin O’Sullivan when she spoke to the media at the presentation of the Scott medals for bravery given to Adrian’s wife, Caroline and to his colleague Joe Ryan.
Commissioner O’Sullivan said the investigation is ‘very time consuming and sometimes the length of time is very frustrating’. She said it is ‘very frustrating for the members of the Gardai, some of those who are colleagues of Adrian and have to continue that work’.
But officers ‘ have to make sure that the evidence is put together in a way that sustains a prosecution’ and said there remain people who have ‘ the final pieces of the jigsaw’ whose information can make the difference to the Gardai.
Commissioner O’Sullivan, along with CS Ward, urged people to come forward. CS Ward said 5,500 inquiries, along with 2,600 statements and 1,000 exhibits have been collected in the investigation. Anyone with information can contact the incident room in Dundalk on 9388470.