Crimestoppers offers €10,000 for information on mechanic's killing

A CASH reward of €10,000 has been offered to anybody who can supply information to the Garda that would solve the murder of a car mechanic shot in his bed over the St Patrick’s Day holiday.

Liam “Blackey” Murray (42) was found dead at his home on Cruagh Road, Edmondstown, Rathfarnham, south Dublin, on the morning of March 20th.

He had been shot in the head and upper body and had been dead for a number of days.

While the precise time of death has not been established, gardaí are satisfied Mr Murray was alive at his home on March 17th as late as 7.30pm. Mr Murray is believed to have been socialising in a bar on Clanbrassil Street in the city centre earlier in the day.

There were no signs of forced entry at his home and gardaí believe the killer, armed with a handgun, let himself into the property through an unlocked door and murdered Mr Murray as he lay in bed, most likely on the night of March 17th.

Mr Murray’s friends and family became concerned when he did not return calls for a number of days.

A friend called to his cottage on the morning of March 20th and found his remains.

The scene was sealed off and a murder investigation was begun.

Mr Murray was originally from the Springfield estate in Templeogue, where he was running a small car repairs garage at the time of his killing.

He was not suspected of any involvement in gangland crime.

Gardaí believe he had been involved in a number of altercations in pubs in recent years and it is also believed he had been in dispute over money.

However, the motive for his murder is not clear and no link between it and his earlier difficulties has been established.

Crimestoppers has now posted a €10,000 reward for information that would solve the crime.

Yesterday posters appealing for information were handed out close to Mr Murray’s home, which is near the Merry Ploughboy pub.

Det Insp Gearoid Begley from Terenure Garda station said gardaí were hopeful the same people who would have been in the area on St Patrick’s Day and the following day might also have been there yesterday.

“It is a place that people come to go cycling and hill walking during bank holidays,” he said.

Det Insp Begley said while many people who were in the area at about the time of the killing had come forward, gardaí were now renewing their appeal for others around the crime scene at the time to contact them.

“Often people might think they have no information that could assist us but we are really looking for anybody at all in the area to come forward because something that seems minor to them might be of help,” he said.

Anybody with information is asked to contact Terenure gardaí in confidence on 01-6666400 or Crimestoppers on 1800 250 025.