Those with information connected to murder of Limerick widow, 78, urged to come forward

A former garda detective has warned that anyone found to be keeping information from gardai investigating the murder a 78-year old Limerick widow, face possible prosecution in the criminal courts.

Those with information connected to murder of Limerick widow, 78, urged to come forward

By David Raleigh

A former garda detective has warned that anyone found to be keeping information from gardai investigating the murder a 78-year old Limerick widow, face possible prosecution in the criminal courts.

The body of Rosie Hanrahan was discovered in her home by her sister Evelyn and Evelyn’s husband Jim Kenny, last Friday, a family source confirmed.

The killing has sent shockwaves through the close knit working class area, and has appalled senior gardai involved in the murder probe.

Superintendent Derek Smart, who is leading the investigation, speaking during a murder press briefing, said the killing was “hard to take in”.

Meanwhile, former detective Sean Lynch, who is Mayor of the Metropolitan District of Limerick, and Chairman of the local Joint Policing Committee, issued this warning to anyone who may be protecting the killer or killers: “Don’t shield them. There are repercussions there for people that are shielding (criminals), or that had information that would (have) led to the early arrests or the solving of this case.”

Mayor Lynch said the Hanrahan murder was "a heinous crime, obviously committed by a very evil person or persons".

“There is no place in society for the perpetrator, and they need to be brought to justice, sooner rather than later.”

Lynch retired from the force in 2013, armed with a wealth of experience in how the criminal mind works.

Despite investigating many murder cases, he said the killing of the pensioner had left him sickened.

“It’s absolutely shocking, and there are no words to describe the disappointment and the disgust that, I feel myself — and I’m sure I’m speaking for everybody in Limerick and further afield — that a 78-year old woman should come to her end in this fashion,” he added.

“There is no place for this type of crime in our society. We’re not going to tolerate it,” he said.

Lynch has called for the justice system to enforce a “zero tolerance” approach to “thugs or evil people that prey on innocent vulnerable people”.

No arrests have yet been made in the Hanrahan murder case. The widow’s home remained sealed off and forensic officers continued to comb the property for clues.

Superintendent Derek Smart, who is leading the murder probe re-appealed for anyone with information to contact gardai on 061-212400.

Ms Hanrahan, who did not have any children, is survived by her four sisters Helen, Evelyn, Chrissie, and Kathleen.

Neighbours said the popular widow had been living at the house for the past 40 years.

She had carerd for her late husband Michael who died nearly five years ago after he had suffered from a long-term illness.

She had planned to cook dinner on Christmas Day in her neat townhouse bungalow for herself and her sister Helen Carmody.

Speaking at her home Kileely, Ms Carmody said she was “in a daze” since her sister’s murder.

“We always spent Christmas together in her house, because she’d cook dinner…I wouldn’t cook it right, she’d tell me,” she said.

“We would have spent Christmas together in her house. It’s only when (Christmas Day) happens that (this) will really sink in.”

“I will miss her dreadfully. I can’t make sense of it really. She never did anything to anybody. She was very good to everybody.”

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