Gardaí have issued a renewed appeal for information on the whereabouts of a man wanted in connection with the murder of a woman in Galway over six years ago.
The Crimestoppers trust and gardaí today called for information to help track down John ‘Fozzy’ Griffin (43) from Mervue, Co Galway.
Mr Griffin is believed to have faked his own death on a cliff top in the Aran Islands after the body of Emer O’Loughlin (23) was found in a burnt-out caravan in Ballybornagh, near the Burren, on April 8th 2005.
Last year he was included on a list of "most wanted" criminals by Interpol.
Ten days after Ms O’Loughlin’s body was discovered, Mr Griffin was spotted going to Inis Mór where his clothes were found abandoned near the cliff edge at the Dún Aonghasa fort.
It is believed Mr Griffin may now be living in Britain, Germany or Spain.
Ms O'Loughlin, who was from Ennistymon, had been living in the Ballybornagh area for a number of years prior to her death. She was a student at the Galway-Mayo Institute of Technology.
Her body was exhumed in May 2010 and a murder investigation was opened.
Gardaí believe that Mr Griffin may have information that could assist them in progressing their investigation, Crimestoppers said today.
Superintendent Pat Murray said: “We are very anxious to speak to John Griffin. If you know of his present whereabouts, or if you have any other information which may be helpful, please contact Crimestoppers in confidence on 1800 25 00 25.”
He said calls would be dealt with in the strictest confidence.
Supt Murray said Mr Griffin had a distinctive Celtic-style tattoo on his neck, in the Adam's apple area which might help identify him. Gardaí are certain Mr Griffin is not dead and they believe he is possibly living somewhere in Europe, the senior Garda said.
Callers do not need to leave their name or address, and may receive a reward for information which significantly helps gardai in their investigation.
Irish Crimestoppers Trust was set up in 1998 by the Dublin Chamber of Commerce and An Garda Síochána to provide a confidential means of reporting crime.
Its current sponsors include the Department of Justice, Iarnród Éireann, An Post, the Irish Manufacturers' Advisory Committee and the Vintners Federation of Ireland.