Murder of Mayo man Josie Joyce to feature on TG4 series

THE murder of Mayo man Joe Joyce in the early '80s will feature on TG4 series Marú Inár Measc - Dúnmharú Josie Joyce (The Murder of Josie Joyce) - on Wednesday, April 5, at 9.30 p.m.

How long does it take for a killer to think they have gotten away with their heinous act? And how does a family or a community get on with their lives, knowing that there could be a killer in their midst?

Marú Inár Measc is a four-part true crime documentary series by Midas Productions for TG4, which shines a light on the effect that fatal crimes have on society, local communities and on the victim’s families as they are left without answers.

The series could not have been made without the cooperation of each family and loved ones who shared their story and allowed us the privilege of filming with them.

The third episode in the series, airing April 5, recalls the brutal murder of 69-year-old bachelor Josie Joyce on September 3, 1983, who was stabbed to death close on 40 times in a frenzied attack as he walked home from the pub in Westport.

The search for his killer brought the town to a standstill and his brutal murder had a long-lasting impact on the community.

It was the eve of the All-Ireland hurling final and Josie, described by all who knew him as a true expert in all things GAA, was enjoying the evening in the local pubs, listening to music and predicting the outcome of the game.

Josie left a pub called Sally O’Brien's and walked his usual route towards home. He never made it home that night as not long into his journey he was stabbed to death and his body was put over a wall by the Holy Trinity Church.

He didn’t know his killer and the local people lived in fear until they were tracked down by the gardaí.

The documentary features John Joyce who remembers his uncle fondly and recounts that fatal night that changed his life forever and the innocence of their beloved town. Christy Hyland, a former detective who was a young member of the gardaí in 1983, recalls the forward thinking of the force of the time to secure a conviction of Josie’s killer and tells the audience how this case will forever haunt him.

Other contributors include Tommie Doyle, a family friend, Chris Lavelle, a local journalist who covered the case, Josie's neighbour Cormac O'Cionnaith, journalist Áine Ní Chiaráin, as well as barrister Eimear Delargy and Iarfhlaith Watson, sociologist.