Gardaí appeal to Meg’s killer to show ‘courage’
Officers have identified the last person to drive the car of the 35-year-old mother-of-one, which was found abandoned in a car park in the city three days after her disappearance.
An arrest is expected within the next 48 hours if the killer does not come forward before then.
An area of the North Quay was sealed off at lunchtime yesterday, in a move which suggests gardaí may have identified the spot where her body was put in the water.
Superintendent Dave Sheahan yesterday issued a final plea to the killer to come forward, saying they had made significant progress in their investigation in the past few days.
“I am satisfied that Meg Walsh knew her assailant. Our investigation is focused on that at this point in time. I am really appealing to that person to come forward because I am satisfied that when people make tragic mistakes it takes great bravery and courage for that person to put right the wrong they have done and to come forward.
“I have made myself available at all times in this investigation, as has the garda liaison officer. That person, if they come forward at this point in time, will get the utmost respect and dignity, as is expected, from An Garda Síochána. One line of inquiry we are investigating is that this may have been a tragic mistake.
“I am very confident that this can be brought to a successful conclusion.”
Superintendent Sheahan said their latest plea comes at a time when the removal and funeral of Meg Walsh are taking place.
“This is very tragic for the family. All we can do at this point in time is offer our sincere support and understanding for the family.”
He said Meg Walsh’s husband has been coping OK with the tragic circumstances which have unfolded over the past two weeks. He has also been assisting gardaí in their inquiry, he said.
He said he would not confirm if Ms Walsh was murdered at her home at Ballinakill Downs as “there are other avenues which we are exploring.”
Supt Sheahan said there was a very positive response to a reconstruction which involved placing a car identical to Meg Walsh’s in the car park where the vehicle was abandoned.
“Since the reconstruction started two nights ago we have made significant progress. It is quite possible now that we know who drove that car.
“The movement of the car at the critical period and the driver of the car at the critical period has provided new leads.”
He said he had been confident from the start of solving the crime but recent momentum “has dictated that I would be very confident of resolving this crime, but I am not going to be tied to a time.”
While Meg Walsh’s phone and keys are still missing, gardaí may now know where her body entered the water.
Her remains were recovered from the River Suir at 3pm on Sunday. A post mortem revealed the office worker died as a result of severe trauma to her head and upper body. A weapon has still to be recovered.
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