Gardaí believe they know who killed British man

Gardaí investigating the killing of British man Tommie Thompson last April believe they know the identity of his killers and are satisfied that remains found in a shallow grave on Wednesday are those of the 59-year-old.

Mr Thompson's wife and children arrived in Laois from the UK yesterday morning after gardaí contacted them and told them they believed they had found his remains.

The human remains now being examined were found in a shallow grave just off the main Portlaoise to Stradbally road at Dysart near the Rock of Dunamaise. The discovery was made on Wednesday afternoon following the resumption of a Garda search that began before Christmas.

During the initial search last month gardaí acting on intelligence searched a six-acre plot of land. However, despite days of searching nothing was found.

Since then the investigating team has firmed up its intelligence and narrowed the search to a much smaller plot. Gardaí working on that search team found what they believed to be a shallow grave on Wednesday.

After some excavation work human remains were found. The Assistant State Pathologist, Dr Michael Curtis, was informed and he carried out a preliminary examination at the scene.

The remains have since been moved to the city morgue, Dublin, where a full postmortem was under way last night. Gardaí said that although the body is badly decomposed they are hopeful an exact cause of death can be determined.

The Garda investigation is being led by Supt Philip Lyons of Portlaoise Garda station.

Mr Thompson, who is originally from the north of England, had been working in the midlands as a plastering contractor. He went missing last April after he was last seen at his home on Borris Road, Portlaoise.

From the outset gardaí suspected foul play. They knew Mr Thompson had been in dispute with two men he knew through his business dealings.

Last month two men were charged with the robbery of Mr Thompson's home after some of his property, including his watch and briefcase, was found at addresses in Portlaoise and Kilkenny.These men, who are both foreign nationals, are currently on bail awaiting trial for the robbery.

Following the discovery of the remains on Wednesday evening, a man was arrested in Portlaoise. He was still being questioned last night by gardaí in the town.

Gardaí have renewed their appeal to the public for information on the whereabouts of Mr Thompson's blue Renault van, registration number 06 LS 2453.

Anybody with information on the case is asked to contact gardaí in Portlaoise on 057-8674100.