GARDAI have issued a renewed appeal for information on the 20th anniversary of the murder of Shaun Duffy in Co Donegal.
The 36-year-old bachelor, who worked as an undertaker and a mechanic, was found lying in a pool of his own blood on Saturday, January 29 2005, after attending his brother’s birthday party.
Shaun Duffy was found dead in his home in 2005[/caption]
The undertaker was found dead in his home just outside Dungloe 20 years ago[/caption]
Superintendent David Kelly said gardai are treating the case as a priority[/caption]
Shaun was well known both locally and throughout the country, including in Dublin, due to his interests in horses and motor sports.
He was a local man and lived in a bungalow at Meenacross, just outside Dungloe, and had worked as a bouncer at many events in west Donegal.
Shaun, who weighed 19 stone and was well over six feet tall, was found face down on a sofa in his home with an 18 inch arrow protruding from his arm two decades ago today.
Speaking at the 2010 inquest into Shaun’s death, Coroner John Cannon said: “This was the perpetuation of a cruel, calculated, cold, callous death of a human being.”
Gardai have conducted over 1,550 enquiries and recorded statements from over 600 persons in connection with the investigation.
However, no one has ever been arrested in connection with the incident and the case remains active and unsolved.
Superintendent David Kelly today confirmed that the solving of this murder “continues to be a priority” for An Garda Siochana.
And four key questions remain in the probe as cops continue to search for the person or persons responsible for the killing.
WHAT HAPPENED IN HOURS BEFORE MURDER?
ON THE day before his murder, Friday January 28, Shaun travelled to Letterkenny where he accompanied his brother to collect furniture.
He then made a few visits locally before returning home.
Later on that night, Shaun went to the Strand View Bar – which is about four miles outside of Dungloe – to attend his younger brother Kevin’s birthday party with friends and family.
Shaun was described as being in “good form” during the night.
The mechanic went back to his mother’s house in Meenacross alongside other members of the party at the end of the night.
Gardai said “nothing out of the ordinary occurred” and Shaun, who was the second eldest of eight siblings, left his mother’s house at 2:20am and drove his green Mercedes estate car around 500 yards back to his own home.
HOW WAS SHAUN KILLED & WHERE IS MURDER WEAPON?
IT’S understood that nobody heard from Shaun for the rest of the night.
His mother tried to ring him the next morning but could not get through.
She asked his younger brother Kevin to call into Shaun to see if there was any issue.
Shaun’s body was discovered by his brother at 2.25pm on Saturday 29 January 2005.
Shaun had been lying in a pool of blood and splatter was on the walls of the house following what appeared to be a frenzied attack.
The popular young man had been stabbed four times and sustained severe head injuries, also receiving a wound to his right arm, consistent with a crossbow injury.
Gardai said there were no signs of a break in but there were signs of a struggle.
Twenty years later, the weapons used in the killing have not been identified or recovered, but Chief Supt Noel White confirmed at the time that a crossbow had been used in the attack.
Officers combed the rough undergrowth in the surrounding area in the days following the killing in a detailed search for the murder weapon or other evidence, but turned up nothing.
WAS SOMEONE LYING IN WAIT FOR SHAUN?
One theory that was probed by gardai is that an attacker or attackers had been lying in wait for Shaun in the house.
Gardai suspect that this could have led to a violent struggle breaking out, which led to Shaun’s death.
Supt White said in 2005 that gardai were interested in talking to any taxi drivers who worked in the Dungloe area that night.
They appealed for any information on anyone who may have carried a passenger or passengers to or from the location of the crime.
Shaun’s sister Karena Tooms told Donegal Daily that she believes that somebody local knows who killed her brother.
She said: “I believe it was somebody from outside who was brought in to murder Shaun.
“But I know they had to have local help and knowledge. They knew his movements and where he lived. Somebody helped them kill Shaun.”
WHY ARE GARDAI LOOKING FOR INFORMATION NOW?
Gardai issued a renewed appeal for information on the killing on the 20th anniversary of Shaun’s passing.
Superintendent David Kelly said the solving of the murder is a “priority” for Gardai and explained that they believe a number of people with information on the killing have not yet come forward.
Kelly said: “The investigation team at Milford Garda Station would like to thank those who have offered valuable information or assistance to the investigation to date.
“With the passage of time, some person may now be in a position to provide information to investigating Gardai that they could not provide at the time, or maybe some person who did provide information at the time may be now in a position to provide further information.
“Gardai encourage anyone whom they may or may not have spoken to previously, to come forward.
“Investigating Gardaí in Milford continue to appeal for information in this case and believe that a number of people have yet to come forward who may now be in a position to assist in bringing those responsible to justice.”
Gardai said any information received will be treated with “absolute confidentiality”.
Anyone with information is asked to contact Milford Garda Station on 074 915 3060 or the Garda Confidential line on 1800 666 111.
Shaun had an interest in motorsport and horse racing[/caption]
The Donegal man had spent the night before his death in a pub celebrating his brother’s birthday[/caption]
Gardai have conducted over 1550 enquiries into the case[/caption]
