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. 7683Murder · Co. Cork

Family of Nora Sheehan speak out after murder conviction, Cork

Nora Sheehan, a 54-year-old woman, was murdered between June 6 and June 12, 1981, and her body was found at The Viewing Point, Shippool Woods in Cork. A 2021 DNA match linked Noel Long to the case. Long was found guilty of her murder and handed a life sentence on Friday, August 4, in what is described as the oldest murder prosecution ever brought before Irish courts. The latest development is a family interview on RTÉ Prime Time, published on August 10, in which the family said the conviction gives hope to families of other cold case victims.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In courtnot reported
  5. Verdictnot reported
  6. Sentenced10 Aug
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
  • Nora Sheehan, a 54-year-old woman, was murdered.
  • Noel Long was found guilty of murdering Nora Sheehan.
When
Nora Sheehan was murdered between June 6 and June 12, 1981.
Where
Nora Sheehan's body was found at The Viewing Point, Shippool Woods in Cork.
Investigation
A 2021 DNA match linked Noel Long to the case.
In court
The case is described as the oldest murder prosecution ever brought before the courts in Ireland.
Sentence
Noel Long was handed a life sentence on Friday, August 4.
Other details
  • The family said the conviction will give hope to families of other cold case victims.
  • On August 10, two of Nora Sheehan's sons, her sister and her granddaughter spoke on RTÉ Prime Time about her memory and the impact of her murder.
8 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatNoel Long was found guilty of murdering Nora Sheehan. (corkbeo.ie)
  • whatNora Sheehan was 54 years old when she was murdered. (corkbeo.ie)
  • whereNora Sheehan's body was found at The Viewing Point, Shippool Woods in Cork. (corkbeo.ie)
  • whenNora Sheehan was murdered between June 6 and June 12, 1981. (corkbeo.ie)
  • investigationA 2021 DNA match linked Long to the case. (corkbeo.ie)
  • courtThe case is the oldest murder prosecution ever brought before the courts in Ireland. (corkbeo.ie)
  • sentenceLong was handed a life sentence on Friday, August 4. (corkbeo.ie)
  • otherThe family believes the conviction will give hope to families of other cold case victims. (corkbeo.ie)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 10 Aug2023
    Sentencedcorkbeo.ie, first report
    Family of Cork murder victim Nora Sheehan speak out on RTÉ Prime Time

    Family interview on RTÉ Prime Time after Noel Long's conviction and life sentence; gives the family's reaction, the case's history and the impact on the family. Offence date given only as a range in June 1981.

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