Gardaí complete file on pub murder

June 1990

DUNDALK gardaí are completing a file into the murder of publican, Cecil Black (73) in his Park Street premises on 21 April, and preparing to send it to the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP).

It will then be up to the DPP to decide if the evidence is strong enough to bring a case to court.

This has been one of the most intensive and painstaking investigations in the area, headed by Detective Superintendent Tom Connolly from the Crime Branch at Garda Headquarters.

At one stage a team of more than 50 gardaí was involved in the probe into the shocking murder of Mr Black who was subjected to a brutal attack.

Much of the investigation concentrated on a detailed forensic examination of the murder scene in Cecil’s Bar where the victim was discovered in a pool of blood in the upstairs living quarters.

There has been some disquiet that no apparent progress has been made in apprehending the perpatrators, but now gardaí are going to submit their evidence to the DPP.