Gardaí will press for murder charge on missing man

Paul Neilan

Gardaí in Bailieborough WILL prepare a file for the DPP, after upgrading the case of a missing man to murder - despite his body never being found.

One month ago, gardaí investigating the disappearance of father-of-three Gerard Daly from his Cornaveigh home made a 'huge' breakthrough and upgraded the case to murder.

On Monday, March 11, a man in his 40s was arrested at his home on suspicion of murder, after a search of a property in the area. That arrest occurred in the Bailieborough area and local detectives then 'intensified' their investigations in light of those developments.

Mr Daly, who would now be 44, went missing from his home in June 2011 but is still listed as a missing person, feared dead.

Gardaí are remaining tight-lipped on the new evidence but it is apparently strong enough to pursue the murder investigation and with it the lengthy process of preparing the file, which will take several months.

However, getting the conviction they seek will be extremely difficult without non-circumstantial evidence - a confession, or a witness to any murder, for example would be needed.

'It can be done,' said a Garda source, on the difficulties of getting a conviction.

'It’s very difficult, though. It’s tough, but it can be done.'

He added: 'It’s up to the office of the DPP, which is totally independent, to decide on what criminal charges will come - you would be trying to just make the best case possible.'

 

Gardaí in Bailieborough are still appealing for information, which will be treated in the strictest of confidence, and can be contacted on (042) 966 5102.