Gardaí find knife believed used in killing of taxi driver

Gardaí investigating the murder of Ennis cab driver Liam Moloney (56) have recovered a knife believed to have been used during the attack.

Mr Moloney, who was buried yesterday, was murdered in Co Clare while working last Friday night.

Gardaí said in a statement today they had located the knife "during a detailed forensic examination of Mr Moloney's car and it is believed that this knife was used in the attack on Mr Moloney".

The knife was found on the floor by the handbrake of the the car.

Gardaí believe Mr Moloney was murdered in his maroon-coloured Mazda 626 hackney cab, registration number 97 D 49218. However, his body was later dumped in a field in Porte House, Ruan. No drag marks were found on the grass, indicating that Mr Moloney's body was lifted to where it was found.

The Mazda car was found partially burnt in the village of Barefield, four miles outside Ennis on the main Limerick-Galway road, on Sunday. Supt John Kerin said Mr Moloney's car was spotted by a member of the public at 8.20 p.m. the night he was killed outside Considine's pub, Barefield.

Today gardaí said they were looking witnesses who may have seen a second red/wine/maroon car, believed to be a taxi. They would also like to speak to the owner of the taxi, which was seen driving from Ruan towards Ennis at about 8.05 p.m. on Friday last. This car was also seen on the Ennis side of Porte House around the time it is believed, Mr Moloney's body was dumped.