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JUSTICE FOR JOE

Major update into Joe Deacy killer hunt as cops quiz new ‘witness’ after ‘brutal and cowardly Murder.

• Published: 8:00, 12 Aug 2023

GARDAI investigating the murder of GAA fan Joe Deacy are following a new line of inquiry, the Irish Sun can reveal.

As part of new information they received last year, detectives have also interviewed a potential witness who is currently living in the UK.

Our revelations come as Joe’s relatives and friends prepare to walk to the spot tomorrow where the 21-year-old was found this time six years ago.

A memorial match will also be held in the UK today to celebrate Joe’s life.

Joe, from St Alban’s in England, was on holiday in Ireland when he was found with head injuries outside a house in Swinford, Co Mayo, on the morning of August 12, 2017.

He died the following day at Dublin’s Beaumont Hospital.

Cops launched a murder probe after a post mortem examination confirmed Joe died from “blunt force trauma to the head”.

The Director of Public Prosecutions ruled there would be no charges against a suspect in 2020 but Gardai confirmed their investigation remains “active and ongoing”.

Investigators have urged anyone who may have been in the area where Joe’s body was discovered or who witnessed anything unusual to come forward and contact them.

Joe’s heartbroken dad Adrian told us: “We understand a new line of inquiry is being followed by the Garda investigation team.

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“As the investigations continue, we are again urging anyone with the slightest bit of information to come forward and assist the Gardai.

“We are determined to continue on our quest for justice for my son, his family and all of his friends who have been left devastated by his loss.

“If people have information that they think might be trivial I would ask them to search their conscience and do the right thing.

“Any information received by the Gardai will be investigated in a professional and confidential manner.”

Adrian added: “If someone provides information that leads us to finding out who savagely murdered our son, they have the appreciation of the Gardai and our family’s eternal gratitude.

“They will also have the thanks of everyone who stopped to think, if only for a minute, as to how a 21-year-old lad can be murdered in such a brutal and cowardly fashion, and his killer or killers still be walking among us.”

Joe’s sister Charlotte added: “I don’t want to see any more lives ruined, but I can’t understand why those who know what happened to Joseph have never even said sorry without even admitting their guilt.

FIGHT FOR JUSTICE

“Even if they had said it was an accident or something had gone wrong I would have known what happened to him.

“I can’t believe it’s been six years since I said goodbye to Joseph in that hospital room.”

As Joe’s family continue to fight for justice, we can also reveal how his family are working closely with former Met police homicide detective David Johnston.

Mr Johnston, who is a patron with the ‘Murdered Abroad’ charity, provides support and advice to families in the UK whose loved ones have been killed in different countries.

The former detective met with the Garda investigation team earlier this year along with Joe’s family.

Mr Johnston said: “My job was to assist the family and to ask questions they might not think of based on my experience.

MINISTER MEETING

“We provide advice to families who have lost loved ones in violent circumstances and we will do everything we can to help Joe’s family.

“The family are determined to continue their ongoing efforts to secure justice and would plead with anyone in Ireland or the UK with the slightest bit of information to come forward.”

We can also reveal Joe’s cousin Michelle Murray also met with Justice Minister Helen McEntee to discuss the case.

Michelle told us: “Helen McEntee was very sympathetic when we met her and she told us she would address the case.

“She certainly gave us hope and all we want is justice. I told Joe when he was in hospital I would not stop fighting for justice.

‘DEVASTATING IMPACT’

“Joe was like a son to me and his murder has had a devastating impact on my children.

“He was the most beautiful lad and we all loved him so much. He had friends everywhere and was never in any trouble.

“My mum is 82 and he used to stay with her when he was here and this terrible act has also had an impact on her.”

Local TD Alan Dillon has also raised the case in the Dail.

Joe was pictured on a trip to Tayto Park with Michelle and his cousins Lauren, Ryan and Ava on the Thursday before he was brutally killed.

WITNESS HUNT

In recent years, Tanaiste Micheal Martin also raised the case with detectives in Mayo.

Former British Foreign Secretary Dominic Rabb also raised the matter with the Irish Government after he was contacted by one of his constituents who knows Joe’s family.

Before Gardai explored their new line of inquiry, they believed there were three people who had knowledge of Joe’s death.

They also suspect the trio prepared their stories because it was three days before the case was classified as a murder following a post mortem exam.

During the night he was murdered, Joe had spoken with a cousin on social media at 3.45am after a night out.

PERSONS OF INTEREST

Detectives believed he was attacked following this call.

He was found lying outside the property at 6am by a cyclist.

Gardai have been unable to establish a motive for the murder or what happened to Joe between 4am and when he was found.

Only one of the three main “persons of interest” was arrested.

The other two were questioned but did not provide any information.

A woman is also a person of interest in the case. Two other people were arrested but later released without charge.

Following Joe’s death, he helped save the lives of six people after his organs were donated.