Gardaí have today issued an appeal for information from the public in relation to the murder of Baby Noleen Murphy, whose body was discovered in Dun Laoghaire on 4 April 1973.
At 6.45pm on 4 April 1973 the body of a full-term baby girl was discovered in the car park of what was then the premises of Lee’s Furniture Shop. This business has since ceased operating but the car park remains between Northumberland Avenue and Anglesea Lane (parallel to George’s Street) in Dun Laoghaire town centre.
Following the completion of a state post-mortem, Gardaí attached to Dun Laoghaire Garda Station commenced a murder investigation. It is believed that Baby Noleen died within 24 hours of being born. This investigation remains live.
In 2007 an inquest into the death of Baby Noleen Murphy was conducted by Dublin County Coroner’s Court, which formally identified Cynthia Owens (nee Murphy) as her mother.
This incident has been the subject of a sustained Garda investigation, including a full review by the Serious Crime Review Team, Garda National Bureau of Criminal Investigation and at this point, all available lines of inquiry have now been exhausted.
No person has been brought to justice for the murder of Baby Noleen Murphy, at this time.
Appeal:
- Gardaí are appealing to anyone who has information in relation to the murder of Baby Noleen Murphy to come forward.
- Gardaí continue to appeal to any person who may have previously come forward who felt they could not provide Gardaí with all the information they had in relation to this matter, to contact the investigation team again.
- At the time of Baby Noleen’s death, Cynthia Owens’ family home was at White’s Villas in Dalkey.
- Gardaí continue to appeal to any person who was residing there, or the surrounding areas, at the time of this incident who may still have information to contact Gardaí.
- Anyone with information which will assist in this investigation should contact Dun Laoghaire Garda Station on 01 666 5000; anyone who wishes to provide information confidentially should contact the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111.
Gardaí at Dun Laoghaire are investigating tel: (01) 666 5000
On this month’s Crimecall Sergeant Graham Kavanagh Crime Prevention Officer discussed the winter burglary advice and the European Focus Day on Burglary Prevention on the 21 October 2020. He advised that we can enact simple measures to help protect our homes, including:
- Turning on some lights while inside or out of the home
- Using timer switches
- Locking all doors and windows
- Using an alarm
- Keeping keys stored away from windows
- Not keeping large amounts of cash or jewellery in the home
Lock Up Light Up
It is accepted that incidences of burglaries, as well as other associated criminal activity, can rise as much as 20% during the winter months when daylight hours are significantly reduced.
As many as 42% of all burglaries during winter months take place during the hours of 4pm and 9pm, according to figures provided by An Garda Síochána. The most common days for burglary to occur are Thursday, Friday and Saturday.
The rate of residential burglary has decreased sharply in 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic, with the falling rate observed most acutely in March and April of this year, when national lockdowns were in full effect. During this time, there were 43% fewer burglaries compared with the same period in 2019.
This type of crime has a particularly devastating effect on its victims and we in An Garda Síochána are determined to impact on the activities of criminals involved in the commission of this crime.
Halloween Safety Advice:
- Do not buy, use or ignite fireworks
- Do not provide any materials for bonfires
- Report sightings of pallets or tires being hoarded to your local authority
- Keep away from unsupervised bonfires
- Explain dangers of fireworks and bonfires to children and teenagers
- Keep pets indoors on Halloween night
- There are penalties for selling, supplying and throwing fireworks.
Gardaí at Terenure Garda Station are investigating a burglary that occurred in Rathgar on 18 September 2020.
During the burglary a ground floor window was forced open, and entry to the property was gained. The victim was asleep in an upstairs bedroom at the time when the suspect entered.
The suspect fled the property once the victim had been wakened, exiting via the front door. Two large flat head screwdrivers were recovered from the outside ground floor window where the suspect entered. No property was taken during the incident. The above Evofit has been compiled and is believed to be a good likeness of the suspect.
Description:
- Male, 27-34
- 5’9’ to 5’10’
- Average build.
- Brownish wavey hair , 3-4 inches long
- Facial beard with 2 weeks of growth.
Gardaí at Terenure Garda Station are investigating tel: (01) 666 6400
Gardaí at Portlaoise Garda Station are investigating an incident of criminal damage that occurred on Knockmay Road, Portlaoise on 14 August 2020.
The injured party witnessed Criminal damage to her car by the use of a hammer. The individual was not known to the injured party and soon left the scene on being discovered. No attempt was made to gain entry to either the house or car of the injured party. The above Evofit is believed to closely resemble the suspect.
Description:
- Aged between 30 and 40
- Medium height and medium build
- Long face with a narrow nose
- Dark navy jeans and dark shoes
- Chequered lumberjack style navy and white jacket
Gardaí at Portlaoise Garda Station investigating tel: (057) 867 4100
Gardaí at Athboy Garda Station are investigating a hit and run that occurred in Rathcairn on Monday 28 September 2020 at approx. 20.30 – 21.00.
The injured party was a pedestrian who was walking from their home in the direction of Rathcairn village, not far from the traffic control signs near Coláiste Pobail Rath Cairn (secondary school) when they were struck from behind by a van.
Investigating Gardaí believe that the offending vehicle is possibly a black Renault Traffic/Ford Transit type, circa 2015 onwards. The suspect vehicle which was travelling in the same direction as the pedestrian and failed to stop.
The pedestrian subsequently underwent a substantial operation having sustained a serious injury as a result of the incident.
Gardaí Athboy Garda Station are investigating tel: (046) 943 2201
On 26 September 2020 Cian Langelaan (DOB: 05-12-92) was reported by his mother as a missing person to Falcarragh Garda station. He had not been in contact with his family for some time who became worried when they hadn’t heard from him.
Cian Langelann had been staying in the Falcarragh area for the past year approximately. Before being reported missing he had been seen in Dunfanaghy town centre on 22 September 2020.
He was then seen in Letterkenny town centre on a number of occasions up until the Sunday evening 27 September 2020. It is believed that he stayed in Dillon’s Hotel, Letterkenny on 24/25 September. Later on the night of September 27 he got a taxi from Letterkenny to Hornhead, Dunfanaghy, Co Donegal and arrived there between 10.30pm and 10.40pm.
He had paid the taxi fare of €60 and was carrying a plastic bag containing personal items such as his wallet and phone.
Extensive searches have taken place in the Hornhead and Dunfanaghy areas over the past three weeks. There have been many reported possible sighting in West Donegal and Letterkenny however none of these are confirmed sightings.
There has been extensive activity by way of media and social media however again with no definite leads as to his whereabouts.
Cian’s mother has come from England to Donegal to search for her son and will be giving an interview via video.
Cian is described as being 5’8”, 12 stone, short sandy hair, clean shaven and slim build. He was of neat dress and clean shaven and appearance.
Appeal:
- Gardaí are appealing for any information on Cian’s whereabouts and safety.
- Cian was staying in Dilon’s Hotel Letterkenny in the days before his disappearance.
- Gardaí would like anyone who may have seen Cian in these days to please come forward.
- Cian was last seen in the Hornhead area on September 27th, did you see him around this time or in the days following his disappearance.
Gardaí at Milford Garda Station are investigating tel: (074) 915 3060
The Gardaí at Kildare Garda Station are investigating the Murder of twenty one year old Jo Jo Dullard who is missing since Friday 9 November 1995. On 19 October 2020 the Garda announced that the case has been upgraded to that of murder.
Jo Jo left her home in Callan, Co. Kilkenny at 8.30am on the morning of the 9 November to travel by bus to Dublin to collect her final social welfare payment from the Harold’s Cross post office before starting her new job.
She met some friends just off Grafton Street and stayed with them all afternoon. When she decided to go home to Callan she got at Busarus Station at approximately 10pm. She missed the bus to Callan so she boarded the Kildare bus instead and arrived in Naas at around 10.50pm.
Jo Jo hitched a lift from a motorist in Naas who dropped her off in Kilcullen, Co Kildare, near the edge of the motorway. At around 11.15pm Jo Jo hitched another lift from here and was dropped off at Moone Village, Kildare at 11.35pm.
Jo Jo called her friend from a phone box at Moone, Co Kildare and explained that she missed her bus and was going to hitch her way home. She interrupted the conversation briefly when she indicated to her friend that ‘’ she just got a lift’’. This is the last sighting of Jo Jo.
Josephine Dullard, known as Jo Jo, was born in Callan, Co Kilkenny on the 25 January 1974, she would be forty six years old. This year marks the 25th anniversary of her disappearance. She has not been heard of or seen since this night.
Appeal:
- It has been twenty five years since Jo Jo disappeared, Gardaí are hoping that with the passing of time someone will come forward with information that may help the investigation.
- Gardaí would like to ensure viewers that anyone coming forward with information will be treated in a sensitive manner.
- Did you give lifts to hitchhikers at the time of Jo Jo’s disappearance? Do you have information that may assist the investigation?
- Jo Jo had a walkman with her on the night of her disappearance. Do you recognise it?
- JoJo’s family are seeking closure, can you help them?
Gardaí at Kildare Garda Station are investigating tel: (045) 527 730
Gardaí at Kells Garda Station are investigating a robbery of a shop that took place at Athboy on the 22 August 2019.
On the date in question a Toyota Hilux (reg: 03-MO-2388) was seen pulling up in front of the shop with a long pole sticking out of its flat bed. The Toyota then reversed into the side door of the shop using the pole as a battering ram.
Three male suspects got out of the car, two of them entered the shop while the third stayed outside armed with what appeared to be a rifle.
Another suspect involved in the robbery who was in a grey Mazda hatchback that was parked across the street got out of his car and also entered the premises.
While inside the suspects entered the office where a member of staff was finishing up for the day. The staff member was then threatened with weapons and a large sum of cash was taken. After this the suspects left the shop and made their getaway.
Appeal:
- Were you in the area at the time? Did you see either of the vehicles prior to or during the incident?
- Did anyone see a Toyota like the one used in the robbery in the area between 19/08 and 22/08 2019?
- Did anyone see four males in the Hill of Ward at 9.30pm on 22/08/19?
- Did anyone see the suspect who was driving the Mazda in the earlier part of the day from 2.20pm on?
- Anyone with dashcam or go pro footage from the area during the time of the robbery.
- Information regarding the identities of the suspects involved.
Gardaí at Kells Garda Station are investigating tel: (046) 928 0820
Inspector Michael Harrison was in studio this month to talk about proper tyre maintenance and safety where he spoke on the following topics.
Tyre Depth - The legal Tyre depth in Ireland is 1.6mm going into the winter months it is vital that all tyres on your vehicle have a set of tyres with at least that depth.
Condition of Tyre - Check your tyres for any bulges, tear or any other defect that could affect your safety while driving.
Tyre Pressure - Having the correct tyre pressure in important for your comfort, fuel efficiency and particularly your safety. It is still important that tyre pressure is checked by the driver on a monthly basis.
Under inflated tyres - One issue a driver can have from not checking the tyre pressure is an under inflated tyre. This can be seen on a tyre that has excessive wear on the sides of the tyre. The tyre wear at an uneven rate and will wear out quicker than one that has a correct pressure.
Over inflation - This again will affect the efficient breaking on your vehicle. Because the tyre is over inflated the drive could be unpleasant. The tyre that is over inflated will wear in the centre, less of the tyre is in contact with the road surface. Over inflated therefor will impinge on the handing of the vehicle.
Puncture - If you are unlucky enough to get a puncture make sure that whenever you decide to change it that you do so without putting your own or someone else’s life in danger. On a motorway pull into the hard shoulder activate your hazard warning lights get out of the vehicle and call for assistance. Never attempt to change a wheel yourself on a motorway. On any other road try to find a location that is safe for you to change the wheel.
Conclusion:
The benefits of good tyre maintenance are you will have more control as the handling and breaking will improve. The vehicles fuel efficiency will improve and your tyres will last longer but, coming into the winter months you will reduce the risk of you been involved in a collision and putting your own life in danger and that of another road user.