Wednesday 28 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. 4496Murder · Co. Galway · 30 Nov 1997

Fresh appeal over 1997 murder of Galway taxi driver Eileen Costello O'Shaughnessy

Eileen Costello O'Shaughnessy, a 47-year-old taxi driver, was murdered on 30 November 1997 in Galway. Her body was found at Tinkers Lane, Knockdoemore, just off the N17, and her taxi was found at Lydon House bakery on the Tuam Road. Thomas Murray, who is serving a life sentence for the murder of two other people, was interviewed early in the inquiry, but no charges were brought after an associate gave him an alibi for the night, and Gardaí now doubt that alibi. On 26 November 2025, on the 25th anniversary, Gardaí issued a fresh appeal for information, and no one has been charged.

  1. Reported26 Nov
  2. Arrested
  3. Charged
  4. In court
  5. Verdict
  6. Sentenced
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
Eileen Costello O'Shaughnessy, a 47-year-old taxi driver, was murdered in Galway.
When
She was murdered on 30 November 1997, and her last known contact was at 8pm.
Where
  • Her body was found at Tinkers Lane, Knockdoemore, just off the N17.
  • Her taxi was found at Lydon House bakery on the Tuam Road in Galway.
Cause
She was bludgeoned with her car radio and then strangled with its cord.
Investigation
  • Detective Superintendent Shane Cummins is leading the investigation, which Gardaí say remains live 25 years on.
  • Gardaí have long considered the killer to be their main suspect.
  • Media sources reported that Thomas Murray is at the heart of the investigation, and Gardaí reportedly suspect he was allegedly spotted near Tinkers Lane.
  • Thomas Murray was interviewed early in the inquiry, and Gardaí doubt the reliability of an alibi given by an associate.
  • Gardaí want information about an unidentified blonde-haired woman seen walking on the N17 near Tinkers Lane around 8.30pm, and about a bearded man seen driving the taxi on the N17 at 8.45pm.
  • On the 25th anniversary, Gardaí issued a fresh appeal; anyone with information is asked to contact Oranmore Garda station on 091-388030.
Charges
No charges have been brought in connection with the murder.
Other details
Thomas Murray is serving a life sentence for the murder of two people in a separate case.
14 statements extracted from the articles
  • whereHer body was discovered at Tinkers Lane, Knockdoemore, just off the N17. (galwaybeo.ie)
  • whereHer taxi was found at Lydon House bakery on the Tuam Road in Galway. (galwaybeo.ie)
  • whenEileen Costello O'Shaughnessy was murdered on 30 November 1997. (galwaybeo.ie)
  • whenThe last known contact with her was at 8pm. (galwaybeo.ie)
  • causeShe was bludgeoned with her car radio and then strangled with the cord. (galwaybeo.ie)
  • investigationDetective Superintendent Shane Cummins is leading the investigation and has made a fresh appeal for help identifying the killer. (galwaybeo.ie)
  • investigationGardaí say the investigation is still live 25 years on. (galwaybeo.ie)
  • investigationGardaí have long considered the killer to be their main suspect. (galwaybeo.ie)
  • investigationMurray was interviewed early in the inquiry but no charges were brought after an associate gave him an alibi for the night. (galwaybeo.ie)
  • investigationGardaí doubt the reliability of the alibi evidence. (galwaybeo.ie)
  • investigationGardaí want information about an unidentified blonde-haired woman seen walking on the N17 near Tinkers Lane around 8.30pm. (galwaybeo.ie)
  • investigationGardaí want information about a bearded man seen driving the taxi on the N17 at 8.45pm. (galwaybeo.ie)
  • investigationAnyone with information is asked to contact Oranmore Garda station on 091-388030. (galwaybeo.ie)
  • otherThomas Murray is serving a life sentence for the murder of two people. (galwaybeo.ie)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 26 Nov2025
    Reportedgalwaybeo.ie, first report
    Notorious murderer number one suspect in Galway’s longest unsolved killings

    Gardaí issue a fresh appeal on the 25th anniversary. The article reports that Thomas Murray, already serving a life sentence for another murder, is considered the main suspect, based on media sources. It also gives the detailed timeline and the unidentified sightings Gardaí want information about. No charges have been brought.

    victim, Eileen Costello O'Shaughnessy, 47, female, irish (judged from name)Eileen Costello O'Shaughnessysuspect, Thomas Murray, 59, male, named, irish (judged from name)Thomas Murray