‘Marie’s killer must pay’ – family of murdered Killenny mother-of-two

THE family of murdered Kilkenny mother-of-two Marie Tierney have spoken of their ongoing anguish that their sister’s killer has still not been brought to justice, more than 30 years after she was killed and dumped in a ditch.

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 programme broadcast last night, Marie’s brother and sister, John Bourke and Breda Fay, told RTÉ’s Prime Time that the ongoing Garda investigation into the 1984 case has given them great hope that the killer might be caught.

“To imagine your sister, that somebody would murder her. Take her life and then, that her body was dumped in a ditch,” Ms Fay told reporter Barry Cummins.

“That somebody would do that. That person must pay for that.”

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.

RTÉ’s Prime Time filmed with the family on that day.

Speaking about the fact that an exhumation of Marie’s body was necessary as part of the ongoing investigation, Mr Bourke said it was a very tough day for the family.

But he added: “I hope it will bring it to a conclusion, to get justice for Marie.”

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 material time, are being urged to now come forward.

“With the passage of time relationships may have changed or circumstances may have changed which may enable persons to come forward with information to gardaí that they may not have done previously,” gardaí said in a statement.

“Time may have given context to something they felt was unimportant at the time but may be of assistance to the investigation.”

“We have previously had great assistance from the public in Kilkenny in relation to similar serious crimes. We wish to thank the community at large and the media for their assistance then and we again seek their help in this case.”

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