Garda hopes shock will encourage witness reports

The garda superintendent leading the hunt for the killer of Sister Philomena Lyons said last night he hoped the brutal nature…

The garda superintendent leading the hunt for the killer of Sister Philomena Lyons said last night he hoped the brutal nature of her death would shock people into reporting to the investigation.

"Somebody saw something and we need them to come forward. This is a small, peaceful, law-abiding town. Something as terrible as this should shock people into action," said Supt Tom Long.

The precise details of the attack on Sister Philomena, as determined by Assistant State Pathologist Ms Marie Cassidy, has not been revealed in case they would hamper the investigation. It is known, however, that she was sexually assaulted and strangled. Given her tiny size, less than five feet tall, it is likely she also suffered superficial or more serious injuries in the struggle with her attacker.

She was almost fully clothed when found but items of her clothing had been disturbed. Her attacker apparently left in a hurry and made no serious attempt to conceal her body.

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Supt Long said the response from the public to the investigation had been good so far but more information was required.

"People were seen in the area - people reported to be strangers and people known to the locals. It will take some time to eliminate them all from our inquiries. Garda∅ have been out all day long gathering information. When we begin to collate that we will get a better picture of whether we have a suspect."

Ballybay is just seven miles from the Border as the crow flies, but Supt Long said there were no immediate plans to involve the Police Service of Northern Ireland, although this would be done if considered necessary.

Meanwhile, Ballybay parish priest, Father Gerard McSorley, who led the local Catholic congregation in prayers for Sister Philomena on Saturday and Sunday, described her murder as "horrific" and said it had devastated the community. "It is one of the very, very sad moments for our parish. We are devastated and the community will be too when they realise that this can happen in our town."

He said Sister Philomena, whom he had known for 11 years, was "a lovely person".

"She was a very innocent person who could see nothing else in life but doing good for others. That's the tragedy. She was so good and yet she had to die in this way. She had a word for everyone and she couldn't see the bad in anyone."

Father McSorley said he had spoken to the sisters at St Joseph's convent regularly since the terrible news was broken to them and they were devastated. "There is nothing that I can say to them. This has left me lost for words."

An incident room has been set up at Ballybay Garda station. Garda∅ can be contacted there on (042) 9741743 or (042) 9741320.