State Papers – 1977: Duo’s death sentence sparks huge protests

THE death sentence of a couple for shooting dead a garda sparked protests in 14 countries, occupations of buildings and the dumping of sheep’s heads at an Aer Lingus office.

Noel and Marie Murray, in their 20s, were convicted of the capital murder of Garda Michael Reynolds following an armed bank robbery in Killster, Dublin in 1975.

They were sentenced to death by the Special Criminal Court in June the following year.