Gardai have made a breakthrough into one of the country’s most gruesome murders.
A number of people have recently been interviewed in connection with the callous killing of undertaker Shaun Duffy in Dungloe.
Mr Duffy, 36 was brutally butchered to death at his home in Meenacross in 2005.
The larger-than-life bachelor, who stood at 6’4″ had been attacked with a knife and a crossbow and left to die in a pool of blood at his own home.
An inquest into Shaun’s death painted a harrowing picture of how investigators had found his home splattered with his blood as a result of the killing.
Now hopeful new lines of enquiry are being explored by gardaí in their pursuit for information in the case.
Gardai have spent the past six months gathering fresh information and interviewing new witnesses following an appeal on January 29th, the 11th anniversary of the murder of the Meenacross man.
Shaun Duffy’s body was found at approximately 2.25p.m. on the afternoon of January 29th, 2005 by family members in his home.
He had been executed and brutally attacked with a knife and a crossbow.
Gardai have carried out a massive investigation into who could have killed the former undertaker and part-time bouncer.
Over 1430 lines of enquiry have been pursued and 670 witnesses have been interviewed since the brutal murder.
An inquest in 2010 concluded that Shaun’s death was due to unlawful killing due to multiple stab wounds to the body and blunt force trauma to the head.
As part of their ongoing investigative process, ‘An Garda Síochána,’ began a review of the unsolved case.
The review is being overseen by Superintendent David Kelly of Milford Garda station.
Since the appeal was issued new witnesses have come with information to gardaí which has generated several new lines of enquiry. These lines of enquiry are currently being followed.
Mr Duffy’s killing caused panic in the town of Dungloe at the time.
Local including broadcaster Gay Byrne, who knew Shaun personally, spoke of the anguish of the local community following the murder.
Local priest Fr John Joe Duffy, a cousin of the victim, also addressed parishioners at mass and appealed for anyone who knew anything about the killing to come forward.
Gardaí say they wish to thank those who have come forward and have reiterated their appeal that people with information should come forward regardless of the time that has elapsed.
They say that any information received will be given the appropriate attention.
Anyone with information can contact gardaí at Milford at 074 91 53060. People can also contact the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111 or any other garda station.
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