Gardai in Galway are sending a file to the Director of Public Prosecutions following the arrest of three people in Galway yesterday in connection with the murder of Connemara schoolgirl Ms Siobhan Hynes. The three, two men in their mid-20s and a woman in her mid-50s, were released without charge last night after 12 hours. They had been arrested at 8 a.m. yesterday under Section 4 of the 1984 Criminal Justice Act.
The men, who are both from Connemara, were apprehended in Galway city, while the woman was arrested in Carraroe. They were taken to Mill Street Garda station in Galway city. The detention order was renewed at 2 p.m. yesterday when the three were held for a further six hours under the 1984 Act, which permits detention for a maximum 12 hours.
It is understood that one of the three had previously been arrested last month in connection with the murder investigation. The man's home was sealed off for forensic examination at the time, and a car was also taken to Salthill Garda station. The car seats are still in the possession of the investigating team, led by Supt Jim Sugrue, while the vehicle has been returned.
The body of an Ms Hynes (17) was found on the shoreline at Tismeain, two miles from Carra roe, on December 6th after she had failed to return to her home in Sconse, Leitir Mor.
an, Ms Hynes, who was due to sit her Leaving Certificate this summer, had been out with friends in Carraroe on the Saturday night. It is thought she may have been offered a lift while walking from Ostan an Doilin towards the Realt na Maidne pub in the village.
The investigation involving more than 50 gardai recorded an early breakthrough when items including jewellery and a fleece jacket belonging to an Ms Hynes were found in the vicinity of Tismeain. Her watch was also identified. Although the post-mortem results were described as inconclusive, it is believed an Ms Hynes was violently assaulted.
Garda divers were brought in to search for a vital piece of evidence, believed to have been disposed of near the shore.
