Murder inquiry begins after tests on exhumed remains

GARDAÍ HAVE opened a murder investigation into the death of a Clare woman whose body was exhumed yesterday, five years after her death.

The charred remains of 23-year-old art student Emer O’Loughlin were recovered from a burned-out mobile home at Ballybornagh, Tubber, Co Clare, on April 8th, 2005.

Her body was exhumed yesterday at Ennistymon Cemetery to allow tests made possible by scientific advances.

In a statement last night, gardaí said examinations had established that the art student was murdered.

Speaking after the exhumation, the dead woman’s father John O’Loughlin said he was confident gardaí would find her suspected killer.

Mr O’Loughlin observed the exhumation with his son Raymond.

Local gardaí are being assisted by the Dublin-based serious crime review team, which re-examines cold cases.

The woman’s remains were removed to University College Hospital Galway for an examination by Assistant State Pathologist Dr Michael Curtis and forensic anthropologist Dr Lorraine Buckley, who specialises in examining skeletal or badly decomposed remains in criminal cases.

Mr O’Loughlin said the exhumation took place to provide gardaí with more evidence about how Emer died and to try to establish if she died before the fire. He said being present for the exhumation was difficult “but you have to hold onto your composure”.

Mr O’Loughlin said the main suspect “is still out there. It is only a matter of time before he is found by gardaí. I am confident of that because the gardaí I have been speaking to are confident.”

He added: “Gardaí have a lot of evidence in the case, with evidence they can’t disclose to anyone in case it harms the case.”

Mr O’Loughlin said the past five years since his daughter’s death “have been tough, especially when you don’t get closure”.

He said: “We miss Emer. She was the youngest daughter and was always happy and joyful. Always smiling.”

Emer’s sister Pam has set up a Facebook page “Emer O’Loughlin – Help Catch Her Killer” as part of an online campaign.

Ten days after Emer’s body was discovered, the chief suspect was spotted going to Inis Mór where his clothes were found at a cliff edge.

However, it may have been an elaborate attempt to fake his own suicide and he has since fled the country.

“Gardaí investigating the death believe that there are people who may have information which could assist the investigators in establishing the cause of Emer’s death,” a spokesman said.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Gort Garda station on 091-636400 or the Garda confidential number 1800-666111.