Irish police review killings half a century later

Det Supt Desmond McTiernan said the review would involve the independent examination of all material gathered in current and past investigations

Investigations into two County Meath killings that took place more than 50 years ago are being reviewed by gardaí (Irish police).

Una Lynskey, 19, disappeared close to her home at Porterstown Lane in Ratoath, County Meath, in October 1971.

Her body was discovered two months later, close to Glencullen in the Dublin Mountains.

The week after Ms Lynskey's body was found, one of the men questioned by police, Martin Kerrigan, 19, was abducted in Ratoath and killed in December, 1971.

His body was found at Tibradden, Rathfarnham, Dublin, close to where Ms Lynskey’s body was recovered.

The Garda Commissioner, Drew Harris, has directed that the organisation's Serious Crime Review Team carry out a full review of the investigations into Una Lynskey and Martin Kerrigan's deaths.

Officers from the team issued an appeal for information on Thursday.

Irish broadcaster RTÉ reports that three men - Martin Conmey, Dick Donnelly, and Martin Kerrigan - were questioned by gardaí about Ms Lynskey's murder and all three protested their innocence.

Martin Conmey and Dick Donnelly said they were forced to sign confessions and both were convicted of the manslaughter of Una Lynskey.

However, Mr Donnelly later had his case overturned while Mr Conmey spent three years in prison before he was acquitted and his case was declared a miscarriage of justice.

Gardaí denied that any abuse had occurred in custody, but last year the Garda Commissioner wrote to Mr Conmey and apologised for the pain and loss he had experienced.

The killing of Ms Lynskey remains unsolved.

RTÉ reports the Kerrigan family has said a cloud remains over the memory of Martin Kerrigan.

Three relatives of Ms Lynskey were convicted of Mr Kerrigan's manslaughter.

On Thursday, gardaí said Det Supt Desmond McTiernan had been appointed as the reviewing officer and that the Serious Crime Review Team would assist the local investigation team in reviewing the investigation.

Det Supt McTiernan said it is clear there is a link between the death of Ms Lynskey and the subsequent killing by asphyxia of Mr Kerrigan.

'Devastated'

Det Supt McTiernan said the killings had "devastated the Lynskey, Kerrigan, Donnelly and Conmey families".

He added that both murders still have an impact on the community in Ratoath.

"Una Lynskey was 19 years old and was the fifth eldest of a family of 12," Mr McTiernan said.

"Martin Kerrigan was 20 years old and was the second youngest of a family of six.

"The family of Una Lynskey are seeking clarity on matters relevant to the murder of their sibling on the 12th of October 1971, 52 years ago.

"The subsequent prosecutions taken against Dick Donnelly and Martin Conmey have had a significant impact on them and their families.

"Martin Conmey and the families of Dick Donnelly and Martin Kerrigan have questions as to the garda investigations that took place in 1971."

Det Supt McTiernan said the "full review" would involve the "independent examination of all material gathered in the course of all relevant current and past investigations".

"My intent is that this full review will hopefully answer all questions highlighted by the Lynskey, Kerrigan, Donnelly and Conmey families and bring the events at the end of 1971 to some conclusion for all those involved.”