‘DOMINO EFFECT’
Sister of murdered Irene White welcomes second arrest
THE ‘DOMINO EFFECT’ of progress in the Irene White murder investigation saw a second man appear in court over the last week.
Niall Power (45), with an address at Gyles Quay, Riverstown, was charged with the murder of the mother of three, who died on April 6, 2005.
He was brought before Dundalk District Court on Thursday last, and was remanded in custody to Cloverhill prison.
His appearance came just three days after Anthony Lambe, Annadrumman, Castleblayney, Co. Monaghan, was sentenced to life for the murder of Irene White.
Speaking to the Argus, Irene’s sister Anne Delcassian, who has tirelessly campaigned for justice, welcomed what she called the ‘domino effect’ now taking place.
‘I know that the investigation is by no means over. There is a way to go yet, but I am delighted that we are getting justice for Irene.’
She welcomed the pace at which breakthroughs have emerged in the case, and said: ‘For years and years the ring of conspirators, the people involved in my sister’s murder, hid behind one another.’
Meanwhile, Irene’s eldest daughter, Jennifer McBride has spoken about the devastating loss of ‘an amazing mother’.
In an emotional appearance on RTÉ’s Primetime she recalled the final few hours she and her younger siblings had with their mother, and the impact of her murder on the family.
She described Irene as an ‘amazing, gentle and caring woman,’ adding ‘She would always try to encourage and nurture. She had warmth about her that you would just gravitate towards.’
A tireless campaigner for justice for her murdered sister, Anne Delcassian highlighted the ‘domino effect’ in solving the Irene White murder investigation.
In the dramatic week since 35 year old Anthony Lambe, Annadrumman, Castleblayney was handed a life sentence for the murder of Irene White, another man (see page opposite) was charged in court in relation to the murder.
Speaking to the Argus, Anne Delcassian said she was ‘delighted’ at the progress in the investigation, and welcomed the pace at which breakthroughs have emerged in the case
‘ There has been what I have described as a domino effect,’ said Anne. ‘For years and years the ring of conspirators, the people involved in my sister’s murder hid behind one another.’
Having campaigned on behalf of her murdered sister for so long, Anne said she was ‘shocked at how quickly the dominoes began to fall over the last week.’
‘I know that the investigation is by no means over. There is a long way to go yet, but I am delighted that we are getting justice for Irene.’
She highlighted that a number of people had been involved, and had knowledge of the brutal murder of her sister, and her hopes now that the ‘circle of conspiracy’ had been broken.
Anne, who lives in England, but returned to Ireland to be at the Dublin court where Anthony Lambe was sentenced last week spoke of the ‘deep pain’ that Irene’s family and friends faced in hearing the extensive injuries the mother of three had suffered when she stabbed to death on the kitchen floor of her home at Ice House, The Demesne.
She appealed again to those who were involved in the murder of her sister to come forward, saying ‘Please do not put Irene’s family through that again..having to hear how she suffered.’
Anne said she had ‘never given up’ on finding justice for her sister, even when as the years had gone by the case appeared to have gone cold.
‘I want to thank all the gardai involved in the investigation over the years, and the Argus for continuing to highlight the case,’ said Anne.
She paid tribute too to the Belfast based solicitor Kevin Winters, whom she engaged in 2016, for his role in helping to progress the investigation.
‘It has taken a long time, but the investigation began to progress quickly over the last couple of years.’
Her campaign saw a number of vigils held on the anniversary of Irene’s death.
Anne even bravely decided to door to door herself in and around Dundalk with leaflets appealing for anyone who had information on the horrific murder to come forward. She linked with the families of other women murdered in Ireland over the last 20 years and more, launching national and international appeals for their deaths never to be forgotten.
Reflecting on the ‘incredible developments’ of the last week in her sister’s case, Anne added she continues to ‘feel the pain’ of those families ‘still waiting for justice for their loved ones.’
‘I KNOW THAT THE INVESTIGATION IS BY NO MEANS OVER. THERE IS A LONG WAY TO GO YET, BUT I AM DELIGHTED THAT WE ARE GETTING JUSTICE FOR IRENE.’