Family’s ‘delight’ at decision to review unsolved murder

THE family of an elderly shopkeeper who was bound, beaten and left to die has welcomed the decision by the Garda unsolved crimes unit to review the case.

Eddie Fitzmaurice, 83, was found dead at his drapery shop in Bellaghy, a village outside Charlestown on the Sligo-Mayo border on May 6, 1998.

The popular businessman was severely beaten, gagged, and left bound to a chair for five days before a neighbour discovered him.

His death sparked a massive Garda investigation, but no one has ever been charged.

The Irish Examiner reported last week that the Garda Serious Crime Review Team (SCRT) had decided to carry out a full-scale investigation after conducting an initial examination of the case.

“We’re absolutely delighted the case is being reviewed,” said Audrey Snee, granddaughter of Mr Fitzmaurice. “It is fantastic the serious crime unit has taken it on board.”

“It is not a reflection on the investigating team which has been working on the case. I think they tried as hard as they could, but it has now got to the point that it does need a special investigative team, who have the skills and the experience and bring it further and, ideally, bring a prosecution.”

Ms Snee had previously been publicly critical at what the family felt was the lack of information from the Garda investigation.

“We feel having done that we’ve shaken it up a bit, pushed things forward.”

The SCRT believes there is potential to make progress in the case based on the evidence and suspects.

“It was terrible on the poor man, gagged and bound and left to die,” said a Garda source.

Ms Snee said her grandfather’s death was not just a robbery gone wrong.

“It wasn’t just that they went in and tied him up. No, they beat him to a pulp. It was an horrific crime, brought upon a very innocent, vulnerable member of the community.”

Family members are expected to make a public appeal as part of the formal launch of the investigation in the coming weeks.