Gardaí ‘know identities’ of Donohoe murderers

Garda Commissioner Martin Callinan has said investigators are satisfied they know those involved in the murder of Detective Garda Adrian Donohoe.

He said the movements of the five-man gang were being monitored and that gardaí would come “knocking on their doors” when the opportunity and time were right.

The Garda chief said “invaluable assistance” was being provided by foreign police forces, including the FBI, with up to three gang members nearing the end of US holiday visas.

Mr Callinan attacked people on both sides of the border who were “shielding” the gang and said anyone who threatened people who had information would be dealt with “very severely”.

He was speaking at Dundalk Garda Station prior to a Mass marking the first anniversary of Det Gda Donohoe’s murder. He said his thoughts and those of his colleagues were with Caroline Donohoe, also a garda, and the couple’s two young children, Niall and Amy.

“His murder had a profound impact not only on his colleagues in Dundalk, but also on the wider An Garda Síochána family. It had an impact not only on the lives of those he positively affected in Co Louth through his work, or through his involvement with the GAA community, but also countrywide.

“Most importantly, his senseless, cold-blooded murder led to the bereavement of Caroline and their two children.”

He said the investigation team, led by Assistant Commissioner Ciaran Kenny and Supt Gerry Curley, had worked “tirelessly” and tens of thousands of man-hours had been spent in order to bring the perpetrators to justice.

“We believe we know the identities of the people who carried out this crime,” he said. It is understood that up to three members, including the suspected gunman, are in the US, where their holiday visas are due to expire soon. Two others are thought to be in the North, where one is facing unrelated charges.

All five are from the South Armagh area and have been involved in serious crime, including robbery, on both sides of the border for years.

Mr Callinan said that while public support had been outstanding there were people “north and south” who were aware of the perpetrators and who were “shielding” them.

He said gardaí were happy with progress to date, but work still had to be done.

“It doesn’t matter if it’s next week or next year; we will continue to work as hard as we possibly can until we bring the perpetrators of this crime to justice.”

The Garda boss urged those involved in the crime who were at the scene or helped prepare the robbery, to come forward voluntarily while they still had chance.

“Now is the time, before we come knocking on the door,” he said.

“I say to the people involved in this crime, keep looking over your shoulder.”

He accepted some people with information about the gang may be afraid to come forward.

“What we are clearly saying is ‘come forward and help us; we will make sure no harm comes to you’.

“We have a proven track record in these kind of sensitive inquiries. We will leave no stone unturned in terms of protecting them. We will look after them.”