Ireland Case No. 0228Murder · Co. Kildare · 30 Sep 1990
Gardaí issue fresh appeal in 1990 Kildare murder
Bookmaker Dessie Fox, 47, was shot and killed at Healy's Bridge, Prosperous, Co. Kildare, on 30 September 1990 while driving to The Curragh race meeting. Occupants of a red Toyota Carina bearing false registration followed his white Mercedes 250D and opened fire, stealing a briefcase containing cash, a canvas money bag, billheads, a car phone and car keys. Seventeen people were arrested and questioned shortly after the killing, and two further suspects were arrested in May 2018. Gardaí at Naas Garda Station issued a fresh appeal for information on the 36th anniversary of the murder in September 2026, with the case remaining under investigation.
- Reported30 Sep
5 reports - Arrested
- Charged
- In court
- Verdict
- Sentenced
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet
Key facts
consolidated from all reports- What happened
- Bookmaker Dessie Fox, 47, from Dungannon, Co. Tyrone, was shot and killed at Healy's Bridge, Prosperous, Co. Kildare, on 30 September 1990.
- Occupants of a red Toyota Carina bearing false registration 90G2506 followed Fox's white Mercedes 250D and opened fire, stealing a briefcase with cash, a canvas money bag, billheads, a Motorola car phone and car keys.
- Weapon
- A single handgun round was fired through the open passenger door, striking Fox in both legs, and shotgun pellets were recovered from the scene.
- Where
- The red Toyota Carina was found abandoned in a field at Powerstown, Blanchardstown, Dublin 15, on 1 October 1990, after having been stolen from Ashfield Avenue, Ranelagh, Dublin 6, on 26 September 1990.
- Investigation
- A grey Mitsubishi Galant was seen travelling in convoy with the Carina at a filling station in Painstown, Co. Kildare, and a man wearing a Puma cap was observed moving from the Carina to the rear seat of the Galant.
- Seventeen people were arrested and questioned shortly after the murder, and two further suspects were arrested in May 2018.
- Gardaí at Naas Garda Station issued a fresh appeal for information on the 36th anniversary of the murder in September 2026, and the case remains under investigation.
- Other details
- Fox left his home in Dungannon at approximately 11.15am to attend a race meeting at The Curragh and was seen exiting Connolly's Newsagents in Prosperous Village at about 1.20pm.
55 statements extracted from the articles
- whatGardaí have made a fresh appeal for information on the killing of bookmaker Dessie Fox. (rte.ie)
- whatBookmaker Dessie Fox was shot and died at the scene. (irishmirror.ie)
- whatItems including cash, a briefcase, billheads, a car phone and car keys were stolen. (irishmirror.ie)
- whatA renewed appeal has been issued for information on the murder of Dessie Fox. (irishtimes.com)
- whatFox died at the scene from his injuries. (irishtimes.com)
- whatDessie Fox was fatally shot at Healy's Bridge, Prosperous, Co. Kildare. (garda.ie)
- whatDessie Fox was 47 years old (kildarenow.com)
- whatDessie Fox was a well-known on-course bookmaker from Dungannon, County Tyrone (kildarenow.com)
- whatHe was driving a white Mercedes 250D, registration MJI 7005 (kildarenow.com)
- whatA red Toyota Carina bearing false registration 90G2506 was following his car closely (kildarenow.com)
- whatHe died at the scene from his injuries (kildarenow.com)
- whatThe canvas bag was later recovered (kildarenow.com)
- whatA man wearing a Puma cap was observed moving from the Carina to the rear seat of the Gallant (kildarenow.com)
- whereFox was shot and killed at Healy's Bridge, Prosperous, Co Kildare. (rte.ie)
- whereThe shooting happened at Healy’s Bridge, Prosperous, Co Kildare. (irishmirror.ie)
- whereFox was fatally shot at Healy's Bridge, Prosperous, Co Kildare. (irishtimes.com)
- whereThe red Toyota Carina used in the attack was found abandoned in a field at Powerstown, Blanchardstown, Dublin 15, on October 1st, 1990. (irishtimes.com)
- whereThe shooting took place at Healy's Bridge, Prosperous, Co. Kildare. (garda.ie)
- whereThe red Toyota Carina was found abandoned in a field at Powerstown, Blanchardstown, Dublin 15 on 1 October 1990 (kildarenow.com)
- whereThe Carina had been stolen from Ashfield Avenue, Ranelagh, Dublin 6 on 26 September 1990 (kildarenow.com)
- whenThe killing happened on Sunday 30 September 1990. (rte.ie)
- whenThe shooting happened on Sunday 30 September 1990. (irishmirror.ie)
- whenThe shooting took place on Sunday, September 30th, 1990. (irishtimes.com)
- whenThe shooting took place on Sunday, 30th September 1990. (garda.ie)
- whenHe left his home at approximately 11.15am intending to attend a race meeting at The Curragh (kildarenow.com)
- causeOccupants of a red Toyota Carina with false registration followed Fox's car and opened fire on it. (rte.ie)
- causeThe occupants of a red Toyota Carina opened fire on Fox's vehicle. (irishtimes.com)
- causeThe raiders stole a black leather briefcase containing cash, a canvas money bag, billheads, a Motorola car phone and car keys. (garda.ie)
- weaponA single handgun round was fired through the open passenger door. (rte.ie)
- weaponShotgun pellets were recovered from the scene. (rte.ie, irishmirror.ie, kildarenow.com)
- weaponThe assailants fired a single handgun round through the open passenger door, striking Mr Fox in both legs. (irishmirror.ie, garda.ie)
- weaponA single handgun round was fired through the open passenger door, striking Fox in both legs. (irishtimes.com, kildarenow.com)
- investigationThe red Toyota Carina was found abandoned in a field at Powerstown, Blanchardstown, on 1 October 1990. (rte.ie)
- investigationA grey Mitsubishi Galant was seen travelling in convoy with the Carina at Painstown, Co Kildare. (rte.ie)
- investigationSome 17 people were arrested and questioned shortly after the murder. (rte.ie)
- investigationTwo further suspects were arrested in May 2018, and the investigation continues. (rte.ie, irishmirror.ie)
- investigationAnyone with information is asked to contact Naas Garda Station, the Garda Confidential Line or any garda station. (rte.ie)
- investigationA grey Mitsubishi Gallant was seen travelling in convoy with the Carina at a filling station in Painstown, Co Kildare. (irishmirror.ie)
- investigationGardaí said 17 people were arrested and questioned shortly after the murder. (irishmirror.ie)
- investigationGardaí are appealing for anyone with information about the planning of the robbery to come forward. (irishmirror.ie)
- investigationSeventeen individuals were arrested and questioned shortly after the murder. (irishtimes.com)
- investigationTwo further suspects were arrested in May 2018. (irishtimes.com)
- investigationGardaí asked anyone with information on the planning of the robbery to come forward. (irishtimes.com)
- investigationSeventeen people were arrested and questioned shortly after the murder. (garda.ie)
- investigationTwo further suspects were arrested in May 2018 and the matter continues to be investigated. (garda.ie)
- investigationGardaí are appealing to anyone with information to come forward. (garda.ie)
- investigation17 individuals were arrested and questioned shortly after the murder (kildarenow.com)
- investigationA further two suspects were arrested in May 2018 (kildarenow.com)
- otherFox left his home in Dungannon at around 11.15am to attend a race at the Curragh, driving a white Mercedes 250D. (rte.ie)
- otherFox was seen leaving a newsagents in Prosperous Village at about 1.20pm. (rte.ie)
- otherItems stolen included a briefcase containing cash, a canvas money bag, billheads, a Motorola car phone and car keys. (rte.ie)
- otherThe red Toyota Carina used in the attack had been stolen in Dublin and was found abandoned in Blanchardstown on October 1 1990. (irishmirror.ie)
- otherThe fresh appeal was issued on the 36th anniversary of the murder. (irishmirror.ie)
- otherA briefcase containing cash and other items were stolen from the scene. (irishtimes.com)
- otherThe red Toyota Carina used in the attack was found abandoned in a field at Powerstown, Blanchardstown, Dublin 15, on 1st October 1990. (garda.ie)
The reporting
newest first- 5 Oct2026Gardaí issue renewed appeal for information on unsolved Kildare murder
Renewed appeal with detailed timeline: Fox's route from Dungannon to The Curragh, his white Mercedes 250D (MJI 7005), the red Toyota Carina (false reg 90G2506) and grey Mitsubishi Gallant in convoy, shotgun pellets and a single handgun round through the passenger door, items stolen (briefcase, canvas money bag, billheads, Motorola car phone, keys), the Carina found abandoned at Powerstown on 1 October 1990 after being stolen from Ranelagh on 26 September 1990, a man in a Puma cap moving between vehicles, 17 arrests after the murder and two further arrests in May 2018.
victim, Dessie Fox, 47, male, irish (judged from name)Dessie Fox - 30 Sep202630/09/2026 36th Anniversary Appeal – Murder of Dessie Fox, Robertstown, Co. Kildare - 30th September 1990
36th anniversary appeal providing detailed account of the shooting, stolen items, vehicles involved, and previous arrests; case remains under investigation with no charges laid.
victim, Dessie Fox, 47, male, irish (judged from name)Dessie Fox - 30 Sep2026Thirty-six years on, gardaí launch fresh appeal for information on Dessie Fox murder
Renewed appeal for information 36 years after the murder; provides details of the shooting, vehicles involved, items stolen, and prior arrests.
victim, Dessie Fox, male, irish (judged from name)Dessie Fox - 30 Sep2026Gardai hold hope of 'vital info' to bring killer to justice after 36 years
Fresh witness appeal issued on the 36th anniversary of the murder; details of the shooting, the stolen items, the vehicles involved, and prior arrests are provided.
victim, Dessie Fox, 47, male, irish (judged from name)Dessie Fox - 30 Sep2025Gardaí make fresh appeal to find killers of Dessie Fox
Fresh appeal 35 years on. Adds details of the bookmaker's journey, the Carina found at Powerstown, the stolen items, the Galant sighting, 17 arrests shortly after the killing, two arrests in May 2018, and the appeal contact details.
victim, Dessie Fox, 47, male, irish (judged from name)Dessie Fox