Gardaí in Mayo investigating the murder of Edward Fitzmaurice ten years ago are renewing their appeal for information.
Gardaí in Mayo investigating the murder of Edward Fitzmaurice ten years ago are renewing their appeal for information. The body of Edward Fitzmaurice, Bellaghy, Charlestown, Co. Mayo was found in a bedroom at his home at 6 45pm on the 6th of May 1998.
The investigation established that sometime between 8 20pm on Friday 1st of May 1998 and Saturday morning the 2nd of May 1998 Eddie was attacked in his home. He was assaulted, tied up, gagged and left to die over a period of the next five days.
Superintendent Keaveney, who is leading the 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."
Speaking about Mr. Fitzmaurice, Superintendent Keaveney said: "Eddie Fitzmaurice was 83 years of age and lived alone in Bellaghy, Charlestown Co.Mayo. He ran his own drapery shop and he was well liked and respected in the community. He carried out his day to day business in a gentle, inoffensive manner.
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. Our investigation has remained active over the last decade. It has been a positive and proactive investigation which has generated in excess of 900 lines of enquiry, with 830 statements being taken and over 1,000 questionnaires completed by members of the public. A total of 59 people were arrested and questioned in connection with the investigation. Despite these efforts and painstaking work, nobody has been charged in connection with this appalling crime."
Superintendent Keaveney said that while gardaí are grateful for the assistance they have received from the public to date, they are asking individuals to reflect again on the events of ten years ago and consider the pain of Mr. Fitzmaurice’s family and the community in which he lived. He added, "It is never too late to make the right decision. If you have information, come and speak to us now."
The Incident room at Swinford Garda Station can be contacted at 094 9252999 and people can also contact the Garda Confidential Freephone 1800 666 111 or Crimestoppers on 1800 250 025. All calls will be dealt with in confidence.
A number of media appeals, both national and local, were made over the last ten years. 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.
Some valuable information was received as a direct result of the latter appeal.
Crimestoppers in association with local businesses has offered a reward of €12,700 for information leading to the identification and prosecution of the perpetrators.
Garda Press Office
1st May 2008 12.10pm
Ref: 572/08
