Annie McCarrick family believe she was abducted & killed by ‘someone she knew' as cops probe ‘obsessed' man theory
THE family of murdered Annie McCarrick always believed she was abducted and killed by 'someone she knew', we can reveal.
Investigators suspect
3
Annie McCarrick vanished from Sandymount in south Dublin in March 1993
Credit: Photocall Ireland
3
A man, 62, was interviewed by Gardai at the time of her disappearance, he was never arrested
Credit: PA
3
Searches of the house in Clondalkin, Dublin were still going on this weekend
Credit: GARY ASHE
As searches continued over the weekend for
One theory is that
Although
At the time, investigators accepted his alibis.
Read more in News
But after a review by detectives in Irishtown and the Serious Crime Review Team, he was formally arrested after concerns emerged about his alibis.
One of the alibis being re-examined was provided by one of his relatives.
One source said: 'The family, especially Annie's dad, always maintained that she was killed by someone she knew.
'Annie's best friend Linda raised these concerns with Gardai in 2022 when she came to Ireland. She was instrumental in the Gardai re-examining alibis from the time.
Most read in Irish News
'This is now the main line of inquiry and the main focus is on the alibis provided at the time.
Gardai 'committed to uncovering the truth' of Annie McCarrick's murder and disappearance
'The man arrested this week volunteered to come forward at the time so he was never under any real suspicion until now.
'It looks as if the case has started to unravel in recent months around the issue of the alibis.'
And
Despite the passage of time, the legal eagle is still hopeful of getting justice for Annie's loved ones.
'FALSE LEADS'
He added: 'There have been so many false leads over the years I hope this latest development leads to some closure for the family.
'It may have taken 32 years for this development but the investigators must have had probable cause.
'It must have been someone who possessed a lot of anger that took Annie's life.
'We heard the man arrested was violent and I just hope that Annie is found and justice prevails in this ongoing investigation.'
As revealed by The Irish Sun at the weekend, cops seized a number of electronic devices, including laptops and phones, at the suspect's home in
ONGOING INVESTIGATION
These have been sent for examination in a bid to glean any evidence from them.
We also told how investigators will reinterview witnesses as they analyse discrepancies in the murder suspect's various alibis.
The interviews are set to take place across the country where witnesses now live, over three decades on from the New Yorker vanishing from Sandymount in south
One of Ireland's most infamous unsolved murder cases, it hit the headlines again last week when a home in Clondalkin, Dublin, was cordoned off by garda and forensic teams.
Heavy machinery was moved in and the cadaver dog, Fern, who found
Searches of the house in Clondalkin, Dublin were still going on today as investigators worked around the clock.
The current owners of the property have nothing to do with the McCarrick case.
The chief suspect was released without charge on Friday, accompanied by his solicitor, and he is understood to have returned to his home.
Gardaí confirmed the man's release in a statement, where they also announced that searches were ongoing.
The arrested man was quizzed over more than five separate alibis which the gardai are investigating for any possible contradictions.
He made no admissions and is understood to have denied any involvement in Annie's disappearance.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Irish Sun
4 hours ago
- The Irish Sun
Mum of murdered Libby Squire slams ‘legal loophole' that allows pervs to dodge sex register & says lives would be saved
THE mother of a 21-year-old student who was murdered by a vile sex offender has slammed a ridiculous legal loophole that allows pervs to dodge the sex offenders register. Lisa Squire's daughter Advertisement 5 Her daughter was tragically killed in 2019 by vile Pawel Relowicz Credit: ITV 5 Lisa was left shocked to discover sexual offenders could avoid the register Credit: PA Lisa was horrified to learn that men who commit indecent exposure can avoid being put on the The loophole that prevents pervs from being put on the register means those who commit indecent exposure can avoid being monitored by police. Pawel Relowicz, the vile sex offender who murdered Libby, had a history of Evil police officer Wayne Couzens who murdered Sarah Everard in 2021 also had a history of indecent exposure. Advertisement Read more in News Ministers have been pushing for stronger legislation with mounting evidence showing those who commit indecent exposure go on to commit A landmark Bill making sure offenders can't slip through the net is set to make its way back through the commons. Libby's mother, Lisa, branded the Bill Libby's Law Part One and told "Her death was so preventable, it shouldn't have happened, but she's making a difference. Advertisement Most read in The Sun Live Blog "If we can learn from her death that's perfect, it makes it a bit less senseless." Current laws require prosecutors to prove an offender caused alarm or distress with their actions to get a I felt guilty for not making my daughter report indecent exposure - it could've saved her life, says Libby Squire's mum Commonly offenders are charged with outraging public decency instead which does not result in them being added to the sex offenders register and allows them to dodge police monitoring. Soon after Libby's killer Advertisement The evil killer plead guilty to nine sexual offences unrelated to Libby's murder, including voyeurism and outraging public decency. Lisa said: "If more people had come forward and reported their experiences, and if Since the horror loss of her daughter Lisa has campaigned for victims to report non-contact sex offences to police, saying doing so will prevent more cases like her daughter's. 5 Lisa has urged victims to report non-contact offences Advertisement 5 Libby was killed by a vile repeat sex offender Credit: PA:Press Association The distraught mum was shocked to learn that offenders charged with outraging public decency can avoid being put on the register. She said: "I never even imagined that they wouldn't be. When I found out they weren't I thought it was ridiculous. These are people that we should be watching." Lisa has demanded compulsory treatment programmes to stop those charged with indecent exposure's behaviour escalating to more violent crimes and called for jail terms for those convicted of non-contact sex offences like exposure and voyeurism. Advertisement She reportedly believes her daughters death could have been prevented if more serious action was taken against vile Relowicz at an earlier stage. Lisa believes that lives could be saved with the loophole closed and has campaigned tirelessly to make that a reality. Data from 37 of the 43 police forces in England and Wales show a 15% rise in five years, while arrests have gone up by around 35%. Advertisement Dame Diana Johnson, Labour's Policing Minister, told MPs last year that in five years almost 250 men found guilty of indecent exposure were later found guilty of rape. She told the Commons: "Indecent exposure and non-contact sexual offences are gateway crimes that are still not taken seriously enough." The Home Office has now commissioned research into the link between non-contact A National Police Chiefs' Council spokesman said: 'Sexual exposure is an incredibly serious crime which can be invasive and distressing for victims. Advertisement "We have been working hard to improve our response to sexual exposure and other Justice Minister Alex Davies-Jones said: 'Exposure is a degrading and cowardly crime, which can often escalate into serious offending. "We're strengthening the law to bolster protection for victims, meaning offenders with a broader range of motivations, such as the intention to cause humiliation or for the purpose of sexual gratification, can be prosecuted - and added to the 'I am grateful to Libby's family, and other victims and survivors, who have bravely campaigned for change in this area.' Advertisement 5 Lisa has campaigned to protect victims for years Credit: TIM STEWART NEWS LIMITED
The Irish Sun
7 hours ago
- The Irish Sun
‘Sheridan's arguments are very, very wrong,' says Sophie Toscan du Plantier family in shock new claims as film premieres
THE family of Sophie Toscan du Plantier have said an Irish filmmaker's 'arguments' about her murder are 'totally wrong' and 'complete fantasy'. They also fear a new movie inspired by the Advertisement 6 Ian Bailey was arrested over Sophie's murder at her holiday home Credit: AFP 6 Sophie was murdered on December 23, 1996, near Schull in Co Cork Credit: PA 6 Jim Sheridan's new film, Re-Creation, premiered in New York earlier this month Credit: Getty Jim Sheridan's new film, Re-Creation, premiered at the Tribeca Film Festival in New York earlier this month. He said that it was not intended to cause any distress to the Toscan du Plantier family, adding: 'I'm not trying to upset them, I'm not trying to do anything to them.' Advertisement But he says there's not a 'shred of evidence' against The 39-year-old had suffered brutal injuries in a gruesome killing that shocked both Ireland and France. The A French court convicted Bailey in absentia in 2019, but he was never extradited over there after the High Advertisement Sophie's uncle Jean-Pierre Gazeau insists he does not want to react to everything Sheridan says. But in an interview with The Irish Sun, Jean-Pierre said on one occasion he spoke to Sheridan, who told him about a 'scenario' and he insisted it was 'complete fantasy.' He explained that the problem with Sheridan's movie is that it will be watched by many people not aware of the evidence against Bailey. Jean-Pierre told us: 'Many people are going to listen to him, agree with him, but without any deep knowledge of the investigation file. 'A LOT OF CIRCUMSTANTIAL EVIDENCE' 'There was a very high level of circumstantial evidence against Bailey. There is no direct proof like DNA, but there is a lot of circumstantial evidence. Advertisement 'I think, to some extent, we cannot at all agree with the current behaviour of Jim Sheridan.' Two investigations remain ongoing in Ireland, one by a local team of Jean-Pierre went on: 'Jim Sheridan has his own opinion. Of course, we completely disagree. We disagree about the fact he's made a movie while there are still investigations continuing in Ireland. 'There are two teams, you know, and they are really doing a lot of work. So I think the most reasonable attitude would be to wait. 'We heard arguments given by Sheridan many times, which are wrong, totally wrong.' Advertisement Jean-Pierre pointed towards the interviewing of Sophie's estranged husband Daniel and also that a witness in the case, Marie Farrell, had not been called over for the French proceedings. Ms Farrell claimed that she saw Bailey at Kealfadda Bridge near the murder scene on the night in question. But she later retracted statements given to gardai. 'IT'S NOT TRUE' Jean-Pierre added: 'When Jim Sheridan says that Daniel Toscan du Plantier was never interviewed by the Gardai, it's not true. 'He went to Ireland to be interviewed by the Gardai in 1998, so it's completely wrong. 'Another example is when he says that during the French trial, the French justice had to invite Marie Farrell to give her statement. It was the role of the defence to invite her as a witness. So it's completely wrong.' Advertisement Jean-Pierre explained that, to 'some extent', the question of who killed Sophie was solved in 2019 at the French trial. But he insists it was the 'responsibility' of Bailey himself and Irish authorities to extradite him to defend himself in fresh proceedings. He said: 'If Bailey had been expelled to come to France, he would have had the right of a new trial with a full defence.' Sheridan said the new movie, which stars Aidan Gillen and Colm Meaney, will reveal new info about Sophie's death. 6 Sophie's uncle Jean-Pierre Gazeau insists he does not want to react to everything Sheridan says Credit: PA Advertisement 6 Sheridan said the new movie, which stars Aidan Gillen and Colm Meaney, will reveal new info about Sophie's death Credit: PR Handout image 6 Sophie was murdered at the house in 1996 Credit: Arthur Edwards / The Sun
Irish Daily Mirror
8 hours ago
- Irish Daily Mirror
Annie McCarrick suspect "arrested after his brother gave vital info to gardai"
Gardai decided to arrest the suspect for the murder of Annie McCarrick after his own brother gave them information on the case, sources have said. Three days after the suspect was released without charge, sources have told us information a brother living overseas gave to detectives was a main catalyst for Thursday's dramatic arrest. Sources tell us the brother, who has been experiencing serious health problems in recent years, voluntarily spoke to detectives who travelled to the country he is living in earlier this year. He gave a statement to detectives from Irishtown Garda Station – where the probe into the 1993 murder of the 26-year-old American is based. It's understood that the statement included details of the suspect's alibi for the day in March of that year that New York native Ms McCarrick was last seen in the Sandymount area of the city where she had a flat. Sources tell us the information weakened that alibi – and was one of the main reasons for the arrest. 'The brother did not rat him out, but what he said was important,' a source said. 'When it was analysed, it was decided that there was now a basis for the arrest.' The suspect, who is a millionaire businessman in his 60s, was arrested by gardai from Irishtown Station on Thursday morning – around the same time officers sealed off and took control of a house in Clondalkin, south west Dublin as part of the murder inquiry. Gardai stress the current residents of the house are not connected in anyway with Ms McCarrick, or the investigation into her murder. The suspect was detained for 24 hours before being released without charge on Friday afternoon. Gardai say the investigation is ongoing. That includes an invasive search around the house in Clondalkin. Sources tell us the search is likely to continue for several days. They added that the original house is not the centre of the Garda probe. Instead, Garda Technical Bureau experts as well as officers from Irishtown are concentrating on the garden area. Officers are investigating if Ms McCarrick's remains were buried there – many years before the current residents moved in. On Friday, gardai brought in PSNI cadaver dog Fern to carry out a search of the property. Fern is one of three cadaver dogs used by the PSNI that are occasionally lent to gardai as they don't have their own. The same dog found the remains of Tina Satchwell, 45, buried under the stairs of her home in Youghal, Co Cork in October 2023 – more than six years after she was last seen alive. Her husband Richard, 58, murdered her at the house in March 2017 – before burying her there. He was last month convicted of Tina's murder – and Fern played a key role in bringing him to justice. Satchwell is now serving a life sentence – and is likely to spend more than 20 years behind bars. Sources have told us that the McCarrick suspect knew her and had an infatuation with her before she disappeared in 1993. He has been interviewed by gardai at least twice – but as a witness and who had an alibi. But gardai always viewed him as a person of interest in the mystery and he became a suspect when the case was upgraded to murder in March 2023 – the 30th anniversary of her disappearance. The man knew Annie, had an infatuation with her and had allegedly stalked and assaulted her. He is believed to have moved in her social circles before the student and restaurant worker vanished. We revealed last week that gardai have now interviewed around 100 people who worked with or knew Ms McCarrick before her disappearance. Officers have again appealed for the public's help in solving the mystery of what happened to Ms McCarrick. Her case was treated as a missing person's inquiry until it was upgraded to murder. Investigators believe there are people out there who know what happened to Ms McCarrick – and may have been afraid to come forward in the past. The force said in a statement: 'An Garda Síochána appeal to anyone with information, no matter how small or insignificant that they might believe it to be, to contact the investigation team. 'Gardaí also appeal to anyone that may have previously come forward but who felt that they could not provide Gardaí with all of the relevant information they had in relation to this matter, to please make contact with An Garda Síochána again. 'With the passage of time they may now be in a position to speak further with the investigation team. 'Any information will be welcomed by the investigation team, and will be treated in the strictest confidence. 'The investigation team can be contacted at Irishtown Garda Station on 01 666 9600 or anyone who wishes to provide information confidentially should contact the Garda Confidential Line: 1800 666 111.'
