Seven people have been arrested in connection with the murder of an elderly Mayo man in 1998.
Gardaí from Galway and Mayo, assisted by the National Bureau of Criminal Investigation, this morning arrested the people as part of an inquiry into the murder of Edward 'Eddie' Fitzmaurice (83).
Mr Fitzmaurice died after being assaulted, bound and gagged at his home in Bellaghy, Charlestown , Co Mayo. The attack happened on or around the night of May 1st, 1998, but his body was not found until five days later.
Detectives say he was in his bed during the attack but managed to break free of his binds and make his way to a front bedroom where he died trying to make a call for help.
Deputy State Pathologist Dr Maura Cassidy, who carried out a postmortem, found hypothermia may have been a contributory factor in his death along with low mobility due to wrist and ankle restraints.
Mr Fitzmaurice lived above his drapery shop and gardaí believe the motive of the attack was robbery.
They issued a renewed appeal for information on the anniversary of his murder this year, and a reward for information was offered.
Today they declined to say where the arrests were made, although it is understood a number of locations were involved. They have also declined give details of those arrested.
The seven suspects are being held at Garda stations in Galway, Ballina, Swinford and Westport.
Mr Fitzmaurice's death has been mentioned at the Morris Tribunal investigating Garda corruption in Donegal. One of the officers under investigation, Sgt John White, allegedly suspected members of the Traveller community living in Burnfoot, Co Donegal, were involved in the murder and allegedly planted a gun at their encampment.
Det Garda Thomas J Kilcoyne told the tribunal in 2002 he had assisted in the planting of the sawn-off shot-gun during the 1998 investigation of the murder.
Sgt White denied the allegation.