‘Fly-by-night’ thief is suspect in death of pensioner Rose
GARDAÍ investigating the murder of a pensioner in Limerick before Christmas believe a ‘fly-by-night’ burglar may be responsible for her death.
Detectives are working closely with Europol and Interpol in their attempts to locate the chief suspect. The man, who is Eastern European, has been linked to the murder of 78-year-old Rose Hanrahan by forensic tests carried out in the pensioner’s city-centre home.
A source told the Irish Mail on Sunday that Limerick gardaí are ‘determined’ to bring Mrs Hanrahan’s killer to justice. They said: ‘This man has previous convictions in his home country. He is one of these fly-by-night burglars who come in and out of the country to avoid being caught.’
Detectives believe the suspect – who has convictions for burglary and sexual offences in Eastern Europe – fled Ireland within 24 hours of the December 15th murder. He is part of a criminal gang who are given a map and a car on arrival here, and who specialise in robbing petrol stations late at night and burgling isolated homes.
Mrs Hanrahan was found by shocked relatives after she had been tied up and strangled.
The bedroom of her home had been ransacked after the killer failed to locate a significant sum of cash which Mrs Hanrahan had hidden in the utility room off her kitchen.
The investigation team, led by Spt Derek Smart, has received ‘tremendous assistance’ from locals in the area.
A second vigil was also held in recent days in the tightknit Thomondgate community where Rose lived, with residents praying ‘that the perpetrators of that awful crime would be brought to justice’.
Meanwhile, gardaí in Limerick are continuing their investigations into the murder of Martin Clancy, 45, who was found dead at his home on Little O’Curry Street in the city on Sunday, January 7th.
Two men who were arrested as part of the investigation into Mr Clancy’s death were released without charge last week.
Gardaí are preparing a file for the Director of Public Prosecutions.
Anyone with any information in relation to the murder of Rose Hanrahan and Martin Clancy is asked to contact Mayorstone Garda Station on 061-456980 or Henry Street Garda Station at 061-212400, or the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111.