Ireland Ireland - James Mulqueen, 92, Limerick, 22-23 October 2009

[HayLouise]

Jim Mulqueen: A 'lovely, educated' man murdered in his own home at 92

JIM MULQUEEN HAD worked hard his whole life.

He grew up in Kilcoleman, Co Limerick and attended the local school. As a young man, he laboured on farms before moving to England for construction work.

After his brother Thomas died in 1971, Jim, a bachelor now in his early 50s, returned to Ireland and moved into in the family home.

He worked until his retirement for the Office of Public Works.

Twice a week he went to his favourite pub Ned Lynch’s for a drink and he would place a few bets on the horses.

The 92-year-old man lived alone in a small rural cottage in Kilcoleman that he had grown up in. It was here, in October 2009, that he was murdered during what is believed to have been a burglary.

Jim Mulqueen: A 'lovely, educated' man murdered in his own home at 92

 

[HayLouise]

Gardaí believe the elderly man was killed some time between 3pm on Thursday 22 October and 10am Friday 23 October 2009. There were signs of a disturbance in the cottage and the Limerick Leader reported a sum of money was also missing.

Lynch said his friend had told him that if anyone ever broke into his home, “I’d put up a fight”.

In March 2014, a man in his 50s was arrested in the Limerick area and questioned in relation to the murder. He was released and a file was prepared for the Director of Public Prosecution by investigating gardaí. The DPP decided not to pursue a prosecution.

“He’d have been well-known, he wore a long coat normally and he walked with his hands behind his back,” she said.

“Once Jim had been pointed out to you once, you’d know him from then on.

Anyone with information about Jim’s murder can contact Crimestoppers in confidence on 1800 25 00 25.

Jim Mulqueen: A 'lovely, educated' man murdered in his own home at 92

 

[HayLouise]

20 March 2014:

Gardai arrest man in connection with death of pensioner over four years ago

GARDAI have arrested a man in his 50’s in connection with their investigation into the suspicious death of a pensioner over four years ago in County Limerick.

Gardai arrest man in connection with death of pensioner over four years ago

Man arrested over death of pensioner James Mulqueen, 92, in 2009

Arrest in pensioner's murder probe

 

[HayLouise]

March 2014:

Press release:

Arrest - Suspicious Death James Mulqueen Limerick 23.10.09

 

[HayLouise]

Death notice - Death Notice of James (Jim) MULQUEEN

 

[HayLouise]

21 March 2014:

GARDAI CONTINUE TO QUESTION FIRST SUSPECT IN PENSIONER'S MURDER

His period of detention at Henry Street Garda Station was extended overnight.

Gardai continue to question first suspect in pensioner's murder

 

[HayLouise]

At 92 years old, it was believed Limerick man James Mulqueen had died of natural causes when his body was discovered on Friday, October 23, 2009. The alarm had been raised when he failed to collect his pension from the post office in the small village of Ardagh.

However a story of sadness turned to suspicion when a post-mortem discovered Mr Mulqueen had several broken bones. The investigation uncovered evidence that money was missing and there were signs of a disturbance at his cottage, however there was no evidence of forced entry, so he may have known his attacker.

Despite the post-mortem results, it was three years before gardaí upgraded their investigation to a murder inquiry. In March 2014 a man was arrested and questioned but was released without charge and the pensioner’s murder remains unresolved.

Ten haunting and shocking unsolved murders from Ireland | The Irish Post