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‘Crimecall’ appeal leads to lines of inquiry in death of conservationist

Inquest hears gardaí still seeking information on Michael McCoy’s death in Dublin mountains

Gardaí at the scene where Michael McCoy’s body was found at Blackhill Forest near Brittas. Photograph: Dara Mac Dónaill

Louise Roseingrave
Wed Nov 22 2017 - 13:17

Gardaí are investigating new lines of inquiry into the death of conservationist Michael McCoy in the Dublin Mountains following a family appeal on RTÉ's Crimecall programme.

The 64-year-old father of three from Ballinascorney Upper, Brittas, Co Dublin, was found dead after he went out for a walk with his dogs near his home.

His body was discovered at Blackhill Forest on September 30th, 2016.

Gardaí searching for clues at the scene where Michael McCoy’s body was found at Blackhill Forest near Brittas. Photograph: Dara Mac Dónaill

The cause of death was blunt force trauma to the head, an autopsy found.

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A number of people came forward with information following the Crimecall broadcast on RTÉ last September.

Det Insp John Walsh of Tallaght Garda station told a resumed inquest at Dublin Coroner's Court into the man's death that gardaí wish to explore this information further.

"Following the Crimecall appeal a number of people have come forward with information that we would like to follow up on," Insp Walsh said.

A full file was submitted to the Director of Public Prosecutions earlier this year but the direction was for insufficient evidence for a criminal prosecution.

Insp Walsh sought a 12-month adjournment of the inquest to allow time for further investigation.

Walk his dogs

The inquest, which first opened in December 2016, previously heard that Mr McCoy was formally identified using DNA. He left the family house early on the morning of September 29th, 2016, intending to walk his two dogs in the hills around his home.

The alarm was raised when he failed to return home and a comprehensive search of the area began. Mr McCoy’s body was found on a forest track at about 5.30am the following day.

On Crimecall on September 24th, his eldest daughter, Rachel, urged anyone who knew the identity of the murderer not to protect them.

“We don’t have our dad and that’s not fair. So if someone knows something just tell... don’t protect someone,” she said.

Mr McCoy’s wife, Catriona McCoy, and two of his daughters attended the short inquest.

Coroner Dr Myra Cullinane adjourned the inquest for 12 months for further mention on November 8th, 2018.

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