COLD CASE BREAKTHROUGH: Potential witness in Marie Tierney murder investigation comes forward

HOPE of a breakthrough in the cold case investigation into the murder of a Kilkenny mother-of-two more than 30 years ago have grown after a potential new witness emerged in the wake of a recent Garda appeal.

A local Garda source confirmed the potential witness is currently being questioned about the murder of Marie Tierney in 1984, but it is still too early to say what significance the development will have on the investigation.

The news will come as a relief to Marie Tierney’s heartbroken family, who recently issued a public appeal urging potential witnesses to come forward so that their sister’s  killer may finally be brought to justice.

Marie was reported missing on 22 October 1984 by her husband. She had left their house at Clintstown, Jenkinstown, the evening before at around 10.30pm in the family car, a Renault 18 Estate with a registration number of 35-HIP. She was not seen again alive.

An investigation by local gardaí located the car the following day.

However, while a number of searches were conducted by gardaí and members of Marie’s family and friends, she could not be located.

Her body was found in a ditch on the Bleach Road, Kilkenny two months later on 21 December. She had been strangled.

To date, more than 500 lines of investigative enquiry have been opened and over 200 witness statements have been recorded. But not a single arrest has been made for her murder.

In a recent RTÉ Prime Time programme, Marie’s brother and sister, John Bourke and Breda Fay said they remain hopeful that her sister’s killer will be caught.

Marie’s remains were exhumed at Conahy graveyard in Kilkenny on October 31 and taken for examination to Waterford University Hospital. Gardaí confirmed that evening that her body had been re-interred.

Following the exhumation, gardaí launched a fresh appeal for any member of the public who may have seen anyone walking or cycling at or near Newpark/Newpark Fenn, Kilkenny on the night of October 21 1984 to come forward.

They are also appealing to anyone who may have seen someone walking or cycling or any vehicles, including the Renault 18 35-HIP, on or near the Bleach Road on the same night to come forward.

People who have not yet made themselves known to gardaí or who, for whatever reason, were unable to make themselves available at the time, are being urged to come forward.

Anyone who may have information is being urged to contact An Garda Síochána in Kilkenny on 056 777 5000 or the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111