Clare woman requests Garda review of death of her sister Emer O’Loughlin 20 years ago

It follows a verdict of unlawful killing at her inquest by Clare county coroner's court on November 5

(Left to right) John O'Loughlin, Pam O'Loughlin and Raymond O'Loughlin outside Kilrush Courthouse after the inquest into the death of Emer O'Loughlin on Wednesday. Pam appealed for information from anybody who could help progress the case. Photo: Eamon Ward

The sister of Clare art student Emer O’Loughlin has written to An Garda Síochána requesting a comprehensive review of her death following an inquest verdict of unlawful killing in the notorious case.

On April 8, 2005, a fire completely destroyed a mobile home in Tubber, Co Clare, in which the 23-year-old was living with her boyfriend. Human remains discovered inside were identified as being Ms O’Loughlin’s. 

Earlier this year, to mark the 20th anniversary of her death, gardaí asked for the public’s help in tracing the owner of the caravan, John Griffin. Mr Griffin’s whereabouts are unknown, and gardaí believe he was aided in leaving Inis Mor following the fire.

On November 5, the jury at Clare county coroner's court delivered a verdict of unlawful killing at her inquest. The inquest heard that the Ennistymon native had lived with her boyfriend at the mobile home since May 2004.

On April 8, 2005, a fire completely destroyed a mobile home in Tubber, Co Clare, in which art student Emer O’Loughlin (pictured) was living with her boyfriend. File photo

She had a day off from college in Galway on the day of the fire. The inquest heard her boyfriend last saw Emer at 10am that morning, before he went to work. 

At the time, there were problems with the electricity in their mobile home, and her boyfriend told her to contact John Griffin about getting her mobile phone charged. Mr Griffin, who is believed to have faked his own death in the weeks after the murder, is still believed to be alive.

Two autopsies were carried out on Emer’s remains — the second in 2010 after she was exhumed.

Emer’s sister Pam, who attended the inquest, confirmed to the Irish Examiner that she has forwarded a letter to An Garda Síochána, requesting that her sister’s case now be referred to the Serious Crime Review Team for a comprehensive review to see how it can be progressed.

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The letter has also been sent to the justice minister Jim O’Callaghan. Pam has also sought clarity on whether a file will be sent to the DPP following the result of the inquest.

She attended the inquest and afterwards appealed for information from anybody who could help progress the case.

She spoke on the Irish Examiner’s Deirdre O’Shaughnessy Podcast last week, during which she said she hoped that Mr O’Callaghan would meet with her family following the inquest outcome.