Family renews appeal over murder

While revellers prepare to celebrate the new year tonight, the family of a man murdered by thieves has appealed for help in solving the 10-year-old murder case.

Sean Poland, 39, was shot dead during a botched robbery at his home in Blackwater, Ardnacrusha, Co Clare, on New Year’s Eve 2002.

Nobody has been charged in connection with the murder.

As they prepare to mark the 10th anniversary of his killing, Sean’s brother Ray has appealed to anybody with information to contact gardaí.

“I would say to them, please come forward with any information. No matter how little they think it is, come forward with it; and they’d never know what it could do.”

Sean was ringing in 2003 with his partner at his home when a masked and armed gang forced their way in.

After ransacking the house the gang fled with an amount of cash. Sean’s partner, Joanne Joyce, was tied but left unharmed. After the gang left, she ran to a neighbour’s house to raise the alarm.

* Crimestoppers has also launched a fresh appeal for information and can be contacted in confidence on 1800 250025.