Family members of an elderly Leitrim farmer who died in suspicious circumstances almost five years ago have met with a senior garda appointed to re-examine the original investigation into their father’s death.
Garda Commissioner Drew Harris appointed a senior investigating officer to carry out a peer review of the garda investigation into the death of 87-year-old Liam Farrell following an inquest last September.
This morning in Carrick-on-Shannon, Liam Farrell’s family met with the senior investigating officer, who briefed them on the peer-review.
Following the meeting, members of Liam Farrell’s family said they are “hoping for a new investigation”.
Liam Farrell’s son Peter said they understand the senior investigating officer will report back to the Garda Commissioner upon the completion of his review.
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“They will decide then on new lines of inquiry. Hopefully, we will get a new investigation. Time will tell,” Peter said.
Mr Farrell’s son Brendan said they raised many concerns during this morning’s meeting.
“We’re heartbroken. We’re approaching five years. Every time we go through this, we’re reliving that moment we found our father. We want a new investigation,” Liam said.
A full garda investigation was carried out into the circumstances of Mr Farrell’s death almost five years ago.
A garda investigation file was submitted to the Director of Public Prosecutions, but no prosecution was directed.
Mr Farrell lived alone and as was his routine, he went to two pubs in his local village Rooskey on the night of Saturday, 12 January 2020.
On the following Sunday afternoon, Mr Farrell was found by his daughter slumped on his back at the back door of his home.
Mr Farrell was covered in blood with his shoes and socks removed.
His watch was broken and he had bruising to his left eye and his feet.
Consultant Pathologist Professor Paul Hartel, who performed the autopsy, observed Mr Farrell died of a heart attack related to severe coronary heart disease.
During the inquest Prof Hartel said if he had known there was a crime scene, he would have refused to do the autopsy as it should have been “the duty of a forensic pathologist”.
The inquest held into the death of 87-year-old farmer returned an open verdict.
The jury of five woman and three men recommended a forensic pathologist attend designated crime scenes going forward.
Speaking after the inquest, solicitor for the family Frank Buttimer said an open verdict “means the jury cannot be satisfied as to the actual circumstances surrounding the death of the late Mr Farrell”.
Following the inquest, the Garda Commissioner instructed a peer review of the investigation into the death of Liam Farrell be conducted by a newly appointed senior investigating officer unconnected to the original investigation.
RTÉ News understands Garda Commissioner Drew Harris has instructed the Farrell family to be updated during the peer review and that they’re engaged with in relation to their concerns.
It is understood Commissioner Harris has requested the family await the outcome of the review in advance of any meeting with him.
