Gardaí reveal two new arrests in Mayo murder investigation

Gardaí have confirmed making two recent arrests in their ongoing investigations into the murder of Joe Deacy in Mayo seven years ago.

The 21-year-old Mayo GAA supporter from St Albans, UK, was found unresponsive in the driveway of a house he was visiting near Swinford on the morning of August 21, 2017.

He later died from his injuries at Beaumount Hospital, Dublin.

Now, a new strand of the investigation has led detectives to arresting two people, a male and female, who have never previously been questioned.

The Irish Independent is reporting that detectives are searching for a car – believed to have contained four men – that was seen in the area at the time.

After years of little progress in the criminal investigation, the two recent arrests have offered a glimmer of hope.

However, it is understood little evidence was gleaned from intense interrogation of the male and female who were questioned under caution on suspicion of withholding information.

Joe’s mother, Alison Theobold, told the Irish Independent she hoped somebody would one day do the right thing, but that she had almost given up hope.

“It is nearly seven years now and we are hoping somebody will come forward or somebody will slip up,” she said.

Ms Theobold said the sadness of her son’s death engulfed every waking moment of her life.

“People can’t ever understand what it is like. It’s every day. Every day, all the time for seven years and it will never ever go away. It is just so sad,” she said.

She stated she did not want to lose hope “somebody will do the right thing” and tell what they know about Joe’s brutal death.

“I think the police are going to have to work very hard to get anyone to confess or get different evidence. I don’t think these sort of people have the heart to come forward,” she said.

The Dublin Coroner’s Court was told yesterday the gardaí investigation into Mr. Deacy’s violent death remains live, with new lines of investigation.

Garda Inspector Naomi de Rís told coroner Dr. Cróna Gallagher there had been two arrests that led to new lines of inquiry.

“It remains an open and active investigation,” she said, applying for a six-month adjournment to allow the investigation to continue.

She said Mr. Deacy’s family had been contacted by the investigating team by video link as recently as the last bank holiday weekend, and that they were aware of the status of the investigation.

Dr. Gallagher asked whether there were any charges pending in the case, and Inspector De Rís said there were not.

A solicitor for the Deacy family, ­Mr. Donough Molloy of Sheehan and Partners, said the deceased’s relatives were aware of the status of the investigation and understood that all efforts were being made to progress it.

The coroner adjourned the inquest until November 14 under section 25.1 of the Coroners Act, on the basis that criminal proceedings in relation to Mr. Deacy’s death are being considered.

The last known photograph of Joe was taken in Paddy’s pub in Kiltimagh late on Friday, August 11, 2017.

CCTV footage taken from an ATM shows him withdrawing money at 11.22 pm and then entering Paddy’s pub with a group of friends. He is dressed in jeans, a jumper and runners. There is no sign of any injury.

It is believed Mr. Deacy and a friend got a lift to the house where he was staying with a local man at around 1.30 a.m.

Family members and friends of Mr Deacy have told gardaí they were in contact with the 21-year-old on social media app Snapchat until 3.55 a.m.

One family member who saw a photo sent by Mr. Deacy described him as “looking like he had a few drinks, but not injured in any way."

At 6.46 a.m., a cyclist spotted him lying on the front driveway and rang the homeowner, whom he knew. The cyclist did not come into the property and continued on his journey.

Within minutes, the homeowner rang 999 and called for the immediate assistance of an ambulance.

He also rang gardaí. CPR was performed on Mr. Deacy for up to 25 minutes before paramedics arrived, but it was too late.

He was brain dead by the time he arrived at Mayo University Hospital.

He was airlifted to Beaumont Hospital, Dublin, but his life support was withdrawn the following day. His family agreed to donate his organs.

In two weeks’ time, Joe should have been celebrating his 28 birthday with his loved ones.