01/05/2008

Fresh Gardaí Appeal Ten Years After Murder

Gardaí have asked for members of the public to "make the right decision" and come forward in a plea for witnesses to the horrific murder of Edward Fitzmaurice in 1998.

The body of 83 year-old Edward Fitzmaurice from Bellaghy, Charlestown in Co. Mayo was found in a bedroom at his home at 6 45pm on the 6th of May in 1998. Eddie was attacked in his home, assaulted, tied-up, gagged and left to agonizingly die over a period of the next five days.

Mr Fitzmaurice was 83 years-old and lived alone in his Bellaghy home. He ran his own drapery shop and local gardaí say he was well liked and respected in the community carrying out his day to day business in a gentle, inoffensive manner.

Superintendent Keaveney, who is leading the latest investigation, said: "Ten years have elapsed since this murder. Its aftermath still haunts the community and the extended family of the victim.

"We are making a fresh appeal for help and information today in order to bring some closure to this dreadful event.

"We are satisfied that the information we need is out there and we earnestly hope that, even at this late stage, this appeal will jog some person’s conscience and they will make the right decision and speak to us."

He continued: "This has been a long and difficult ten years for the extended Fitzmaurice family and the only relief they will get is when the perpetrators face justice for their actions."

A number of media appeals, both national and local, have made over the last 10 years in connection with the crime.

TV series Crimeline featured the murder during May of 1998 and in May 2005 a reconstruction of the murder was televised on Crimecall to coincide with the 7th anniversary of his death.

Crimestoppers in association with local businesses has offered a reward of €12,700 for information leading to the identification and prosecution of the perpetrators.

(DW)


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