More than 20 Mayo businessmen have offered a £10,000 reward for information which might lead to the detection of those who robbed an elderly man, who subsequently died. Mr Eddie Fitzmaurice (82), who had operated a drapery store in Charlestown for a number of decades, was set upon in his home by attackers on May 1st. He was gagged and bound in his night clothes and left unable to call for help.
An inquest found that Mr Fitzmaurice died as a result of hypothermia over a number of days.
Chief Supt John Carey said yesterday that the time of the attack on Mr Fitzmaurice had been narrowed down to between 9 p.m. on Friday, May 1st, and 7 a.m. on Saturday. His body was not discovered until early on May 5th.
Mr Paddy Colleran, chairman of Bellaghy and Charlestown District Development Association, said at a press conference in Swinford yesterday that the lack of progress in the case was a matter of grave concern.
Reward offers in criminal cases have proved effective previously, according to Supt John Carey. He said that 177 people had so far been taken in for questioning on the case.
Anyone with information has been asked to call Swinford Garda Station on (094) 51115.