Concern over unsolved Mayo murder to be raised with An Taoiseach

Councillor seeking fresh urgency to be injected into garda probe

A former cathaoirleach of Mayo County Council is to raise with An Taoiseach Michaél Martin his concerns over the unsolved mystery of the death of Joe Deacy in Mayo five years ago.

Mr. Deacy died in hospital from head injuries caused by blunt force trauma, having been found outside a house in the Swinford area in which he was staying on August 12, 2017.

The gardaí investigation initially indicated that Mr. Deacy, from St. Albans on London and a regular visitor to Mayo, had died as a result of a fall and no foul play was suspected.

But it became a murder investigation after the then state pathologist Professor Marie Cassidy completed her examination of Mr. Deacy's body.

Speaking to RTÉ Radio One, Councillor Brendan Mulroy stated: "It is not a good thing for Mayo that we have an unsolved murder in our midst.

"I am saying pull back the curtains in the county and for people with information to come forward with it.

"That's my appeal. Joe was an avid Mayo GAA supporter down through the years. He went to National League games, All-Ireland finals and so forth..

"He was a Mayo man as much as any emigrant that went across to England or America and treasured their Mayo heritage.

"In every aspect, he was a proud Mayo man.

"It's incumbent on people with information to come forward and put his family at ease once and for all.

"They want to know what happened Joe and the silence since his death five years ago has been deafening.

"There is a part of me that's very, very sad over the silence that has gone around this case."

Councillor Brendan Mulroy called on the British government to make further representatives to the Irish government in a bid to solve this case.

"I will be taking up the matter with An Taoiseach as well in order to inject urgency into the investigation.

"Ultimately, this is a garda matter. I hope to God somebody comes forward.

"Because if they do, I am sure An Garda Siochána will solve this case quickly.

"It is a pity that after five years we are still appealing.

"The Deacy family need our help and support. I ask the people of Mayo to stand behind the family."