Over 300 lines of enquiry pursued in maughan murder probe

AS the first anniversary of the murder of 28-year-old Owen Maughan at a petrol forecourt in Castlebar approaches, gardaí have issued a renewed appeal for information which might lead to the arrest of those who were responsible, writes Tom Shiel.

Supt. Pat Diskin, who is heading the investigation, said that in the past year some 300 lines of enquiry had been pursued and other channels of investigation were ongoing.

“We believe there are people out there who have information relating to the murder and we are appealing to them to come forward,” he stated.

The investigation team is interested in hearing from anybody who might have information about a BMW estate car, graphite grey in colour, which was used by the attacker or attackers. The car, which originally had the number plate 06 G 3981, was stolen from Dublin Airport on December 6 of last year. The car was subsequently sighted in Dublin City on a number of occasions bearing a false number plate, 09 D 30024.

On December 20, two days after Owen Maughan’s murder, the BMW was found burnt out at Derryvohey, Balla.

Explained Supt. Diskin: “We are anxious to talk to anyone who might have seen this car in Dublin or anybody who has information as to where the false number plates were fitted. Also, did anyone see any suspicious activity in the Derryvohey area before the burnt out BMW was located there.”

Finally, the senior garda officer appealed for any further witnesses to the shooting incident at the Mace Topoil service station in Moneen on December 18, 2013, to come forward, if they have not already done so.

Owen Maughan received a number of shotgun wounds in the attack, injuries which later proved fatal.

His anniversary Mass will be celebrated in the Church of the Holy Rosary tomorrow (Thursday).