A brother remembers

Forensics offer best hope of breakthrough 15 years after Eileen's murder By JACQUELINE HOGGE FRESH hopes of a breakthrough in the investigation into the murder of Eileen Costello O'Shaughnessy may come through advances in forensic science, the Corofin woman's family has been told. Friday marks the 15th anniversary of the killing of the taxi driver and mother of two, whose body was found on a remote road at Tinker's Lane, Knockdoemore on November 30, 1997. Despite a lengthy and intensive investigation in the months and years following her death, no one has ever been charged in connection with the murder. Eileen's brother Martin was at the launch of a campaign this week, in which 400 taxis throughout Galway city and county will display stickers appealing for information on her murder. 'It's hard to believe it's been 15 years since we lost Eileen and the latest information we have from the Garda's cold case unit is there is still no breakthrough in the case,' said Martin. 'We met with a team of senior detectives and a member of the Garda forensics team in Oranmore over the summer and they told us that the best hope there is of finding Eileen's killer is in the advances that have been made in forensic science since she died. 'My brother PJ, who lives in Toronto, has been home to meet with the Gardai several times in recent years, and we are both delighted that this sticker and website campaign has been launched. 'It just might jog people's memories or convince anyone who does know something to come forward, as it's very hard to accept the fact that no one has ever been caught for what they did to her.' Eileen, who was 47 at the time of her death, received fatal blows to the head. Her body was discovered a day after she died on a narrow road at Tinker's Lane. Her killer is understood to have driven her taxi back towards Galway and abandoned it at the then Lydon House bakery on the Tuam Road. Mayor of Tuam, Cllr Eamonn Kitt; Deputy Mayor of County Galway, Cllr Tom Welby and Deputy Mayor of Galway City, Cllr Frank Fahy all attended the Justice for Eileen campaign launch at the West Wing restaurant on Monday. Taxi driver Henry Hegarty, who has organised the event, said he was delighted that so many of Eileen's colleagues had shown up to support it. 'We have not one but three mayors here today to launch this campaign and we hope the public will respond by coming forward with any information they may have, however insignificant they think it might be,' he said. 'It is great to see so many of our colleagues here today as we are all aware of how vulnerable we are as taxi drivers within the confines of a vehicle.' Cllr Fahy, who is a taxi driver, said he was delighted to lend his support to the initiative, which he hoped would bring some closure for Eileen's family. A Justice 4 Eileen website, through which donations can be made, is sponsored by Tuam company Western Webs and Paddy Coyne.