Thursday 29 October 2026Compiled from published reports. Every claim links to its source.

Ireland Crime

Every case followed from the first report to the sentence, or to where the reporting stopped.

Case No. 7872Murder · Co. Cork

Cold case murder trial of Noel Long over 1981 death of Nora Sheehan, Cork

Noel Long, a 74-year-old man, has pleaded not guilty to murdering Nora Sheehan, a 54-year-old woman, between June 6 and June 12, 1981. Her naked and bruised body was found by forestry workers in dense undergrowth at The Viewing Point, Shippool Woods, Cork, and the prosecution says she met her death by foul play. Detective Inspector Matt Thorn stopped Long driving an Opel Kadett on the Curraheen Road on June 16, 1981, a 2008 serious crime review team reviewed the case, and gardaí obtained a sample from Long on November 30, 2021. The cold case murder trial opened before Mr Justice Paul McDermott and a jury in July 2023, with the prosecution saying DNA from semen on the victim matches Long, and the trial is expected to last four weeks.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In court13 Jul
  5. Verdict
  6. Sentenced
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
  • Noel Long, 74, has pleaded not guilty to murdering Nora Sheehan, 54, between June 6 and June 12, 1981.
  • Nora Sheehan's naked and bruised body was found dumped in dense undergrowth.
Where
Forestry workers found the body at The Viewing Point, Shippool Woods, Cork.
When
  • Witnesses last saw Nora Sheehan alive at 4am on June 7, 1981.
  • Two forestry workers reported finding the body to a garda at 3pm on June 12, 1981.
Cause
The prosecution cannot say precisely how Nora Sheehan died but says she met her death by foul play.
Investigation
  • Detective Inspector Matt Thorn stopped Long driving an Opel Kadett on the Curraheen Road on June 16, 1981.
  • A serious crime review team was set up in 2008 to review old unsolved murders.
  • Gardaí obtained a sample from Long on November 30, 2021.
  • The prosecution says DNA from semen on the victim matches Long, with a one in 20,000 chance it came from an unrelated person.
In court
  • The prosecution says evidence, including evidence from Long's car, should lead the jury to conclude he is responsible for her death.
  • The trial is before Mr Justice Paul McDermott and a jury of eight men and four women, and is expected to last four weeks.
Other details
The victim's son, James Sheehan, gave evidence early in the trial describing his mother as eccentric and outspoken.
12 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatNoel Long has pleaded not guilty to murdering Nora Sheehan, 54, between June 6 and June 12, 1981. (irishtimes.com)
  • whatNora Sheehan's naked and bruised body was found dumped in dense undergrowth. (irishtimes.com)
  • whereHer body was found by forestry workers at The Viewing Point, Shippool Woods in Cork. (irishtimes.com)
  • whenWitnesses saw her as late as 4am on June 7, 1981, and she was not seen alive after that. (irishtimes.com)
  • whenTwo forestry workers reported finding a body to a garda at 3pm on June 12, 1981. (irishtimes.com)
  • causeThe prosecution cannot say precisely how she died but says she met her death by foul play. (irishtimes.com)
  • investigationDetective Inspector Matt Thorn stopped Long driving an Opel Kadett on the Curraheen Road on June 16, 1981. (irishtimes.com)
  • investigationIn 2008 a serious crime review team was set up to review old unsolved murders. (irishtimes.com)
  • investigationGardaí obtained a sample from Long on November 30, 2021. (irishtimes.com)
  • investigationThe prosecution says DNA from semen on the victim matches Long, with a one in 20,000 chance it came from someone else unrelated to him. (irishtimes.com)
  • courtThe prosecution says the evidence should lead the jury to conclude that the accused is responsible for her death. (irishtimes.com)
  • courtThe trial is before Mr Justice Paul McDermott and a jury of eight men and four women, and is expected to last four weeks. (irishtimes.com)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 13 Jul2023
    In courtirishtimes.com, first report
    ‘Cold case’ murder trial: DNA from man accused of murder found on vulnerable victim’s body, court hears

    Reports the opening of the cold case murder trial, including the prosecution's account of the evidence, the DNA match and the 2008 cold case review.

    accused, Noel Long, 74, male, named, irish (judged from name)Noel Longvictim, Nora Sheehan, 54, female, irish (judged from name)Nora Sheehan