Daughter makes emotional appeal in Garda cold case

A GRIEVING daughter has made an emotional appeal to catch the armed gang who murdered her father 20 years ago.

Tyrone bookmaker Dessie Fox was shot and robbed of £20,000 as he travelled to a race meeting at the Curragh.

His daughter Lorna Fox O’Mahony said: “Twenty years ago today my sisters and I were robbed of our dad, our mum was robbed of her husband, and our dad was robbed of his life.”

She added: “We believe there are people out there who know what happened to my dad the day he was killed. We all loved him and miss him so much. Through Crimecall, my mum and sister, Judith, made an appeal for information and we want to thank those people who have called in response.”

Lorna, who was aged just 15 at the time of the shooting, said the lives of her mother and two sisters had been shattered by his death.

Yesterday, gardaí issued a new plea for information concerning the murder Mr Fox.

Mr Fox, 47, was travelling to a race meeting at the Curragh when he was robbed by at least two men and shot dead at Healy’s Bridge in Prosperous, Co Kildare, on September 30, 1990.

Gardaí said they believed the gang involved in Mr Fox’s murder numbered at least seven with several other people having knowledge of the incident.

Detective Garda Ashley O’Sullivan stated the gang that killed Mr Fox was armed with a shotgun and a handgun. During the robbery the father-of-three was shot in the leg and bled to death.

Mr Fox was seen coming out of Connolly’s Newsagents shop in Prosperous at about 1.20pm on the day he was killed. Shortly afterward, he got back into his car, and a red Toyota Carina believed to be bearing the registration 90 G 2506 was seen following him.

The occupants of the Carina opened fire on Mr Fox’s car, causing damage near to the right rear indicator and the front left tyre.

Mr Fox attempted to reverse away, but his car ran off the road and was forced to stop. The raiders then caught up and, as they approached, fired one shot from a handgun through the open passenger door, Mr Fox was hit in the leg.

The raiders then stole a black leather briefcase containing a cash, canvas money bag, billheads with names, car phone and car keys.

The gardaí are also interested in a White Mercedes car which they believe was also used by the gang involved in the killing.

The murder is being investigated by the Garda Cold Case team who say they believe those behind the killing are still alive.

As part of the original investigation 500 statements were given and 17 arrests made. However, no one has ever been brought to justice for the crime.

Crimestoppers has called on individuals with information regarding the shooting of Mr Fox to contact them in confidence on 1800 25 00 25.