Ireland Case No. 0972Murder · Co. Dublin · 22 Sep 2009
Gardaí recommend charges in 2009 Dublin murder of Kenneth Fetherston
Kenneth Fetherston, a bus driver from Tallaght and father of one, was stabbed to death on 22 September 2009 in Dublin, and his remains were found in the Dublin Mountains at Military Road, Rathfarnham, on 31 January 2010. The Garda Serious Crime Review Team began a cold case review in 2020, and a man in his 40s, understood to be a businessman known to the victim, was arrested in March 2024 following a search of a property in the midlands but was released without charge. The chief suspect was arrested in March 2025 and also released without charge. In 2026, gardaí submitted a file to the DPP with recommendations to charge a man, and a decision is awaited.
- Reported23 Sep
2 reports - Arrested1 Mar
6 reports - Charged
- In court
- Verdict
- Sentenced
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet
Key facts
consolidated from all reports- What happened
- Kenneth Fetherston, a bus driver from Tallaght and father of one, was stabbed to death on 22 September 2009 in Dublin.
- Where
- His remains were found at Military Road, Rathfarnham, in the Dublin Mountains on 31 January 2010.
- He was last seen leaving his home at the Tallaght Cross Hotel, Tallaght, Dublin 24, just before 9am on 22 September 2009.
- His red Honda Civic was found in a lay-by on the N11 near Gorey, Co Wexford, three days after he went missing.
- Cause
- Deputy State pathologist Dr Michael Curtis said he was stabbed multiple times with injuries in the skull and neck, and the killing is believed to have followed a row over money.
- Investigation
- The Garda Serious Crime Review Team began a cold case review in 2020.
- A man in his 40s, understood to be a businessman known to the victim, was arrested in March 2024 following a search of a property in the midlands and was released without charge.
- The chief suspect was arrested in March 2025 and released without charge.
- The Garda Serious Crime Review Team submitted a file to the DPP in 2026 with recommendations to charge a man.
- Other details
- Two men are believed to have covered up the crime and dumped the remains in the mountains.
- Kenneth Fetherston's age is reported as 26 in some sources and 43 in others.
- In court
- An inquest was held in 2012.
110 statements extracted from the articles
- whatA cold case investigation into the murder of a man whose body was dumped in the Dublin mountains is at an advanced stage. (irishmirror.ie)
- whatThe investigation concerns the murder of Kenneth Fetherston. (garda.ie)
- whatThe murder of Kenneth Fetherston is under investigation. (garda.ie)
- whatA man has been arrested in connection with the murder of Kenneth Fetherston. (dublinlive.ie)
- whatA man in his 40s was arrested on suspicion of Kenneth Fetherston's death. (irishmirror.ie)
- whatKenneth Fetherston, a bus driver from Tallaght, disappeared in September 2009. (irishtimes.com)
- whatA man in his 40s was arrested on suspicion of murder. (offalyexpress.ie)
- whatThe man arrested on suspicion of Kenneth Fetherston's murder was released without charge. (irishmirror.ie)
- whatKenneth Fetherston was stabbed to death on 22 September 2009 (irishmirror.ie)
- whatSome of his remains were found in the Dublin mountains on 31 January 2010 (irishmirror.ie)
- whatKen Fetherston was stabbed to death on 22 September 2009. (dublinlive.ie, irishmirror.ie)
- whatThose responsible moved his body to the mountains where it lay undiscovered until January 2010. (irishmirror.ie)
- whereKenneth Fetherston's remains were found in the Dublin Mountains. (irishmirror.ie)
- whereHis remains were found at Military Road, Rathfarnham. (garda.ie)
- whereKenneth Fetherston was last seen leaving his home at the Tallaght Cross Hotel, Tallaght. (dublinlive.ie)
- whereThe car Kenneth Fetherston was driving was found in a lay-by on the N11 near Gorey, Co Wexford. (dublinlive.ie)
- whereKenneth Fetherston's remains were found in the Dublin Mountains in January 2010. (dublinlive.ie)
- whereKenneth Fetherston's remains were discovered at Military Road, Rathfarnham, on 31 January 2010. (dublinlive.ie)
- whereThe arrest followed a search of a private residence in the midlands. (irishmirror.ie)
- whereHis remains were discovered in the Dublin mountains on 31 January 2010. (irishmirror.ie)
- whereHis skeletal remains were found in the Dublin Mountains, near Rathfarnham, about four months later. (irishtimes.com)
- whereHis red Honda Civic was later found in a lay-by on the N11 near Gorey, Co Wexford. (irishtimes.com)
- whereFetherston left his apartment at the Tallaght Cross Hotel, Tallaght, Dublin 24. (offalyexpress.ie)
- whereHis last known sighting was at Landy’s Industrial Estate, Knocklyon, Dublin 16. (offalyexpress.ie)
- whereHis remains were found at Military Road, Rathfarnham, on 31 January 2010. (offalyexpress.ie)
- whereHis remains were found in the Dublin mountains on 31 January 2010. (irishmirror.ie)
- whereThe arrest followed a search of a property in the midlands. (irishmirror.ie)
- whereKenneth Fetherston's remains were found in the Dublin mountains on 31 January 2010. (irishmirror.ie)
- whereKenneth's partial remains were found on Military Road in Rathfarnham. (irishmirror.ie)
- whereHis body was moved to the Dublin mountains (irishmirror.ie)
- whereHis body was moved to the Dublin mountains after the killing. (dublinlive.ie)
- whereKen worked at a garage at Land's Industrial Estate, Knocklyon, Dublin. (dublinlive.ie)
- whereKen's car was found abandoned near Gorey, Co Wexford, three days after he went missing. (dublinlive.ie)
- whereSome of Ken's remains were found in the Dublin mountains on 31 January 2010. (dublinlive.ie)
- whenKenneth Fetherston went missing on September 22, 2009. (irishmirror.ie)
- whenKenneth Fetherston's remains were not discovered until January 31, 2010. (irishmirror.ie)
- whenThe murder occurred on 22 September 2009. (garda.ie)
- whenKenneth Fetherston disappeared on 22 September 2009. (garda.ie)
- whenHis remains were discovered on 31 January 2010. (garda.ie)
- whenKenneth Fetherston, 26, was reported missing on 22 September 2009. (dublinlive.ie)
- whenKenneth Fetherston went missing on 22 September 2009. (irishmirror.ie)
- whenMr Fetherston left his home at the Tallaght Cross Hotel in Dublin 24 just before 9am on September 22nd, 2009. (irishtimes.com)
- whenFetherston disappeared on 22 September 2009. (offalyexpress.ie)
- whenThe arrest took place early on Bank Holiday Monday morning. (irishmirror.ie)
- causeKenneth Fetherston is believed to have been murdered in a row over money. (irishmirror.ie)
- causeKenneth is believed to have been murdered in a row over money by a father and son. (irishmirror.ie)
- causeGardaí believe he was stabbed to death following a dispute with a group of local men. (irishtimes.com)
- causeThe victim is believed to have been killed in a row over money. (irishmirror.ie)
- causeKenneth is believed to have been stabbed to death by someone known to him. (irishmirror.ie)
- causeThe killing is suspected to have followed a row over money. (irishmirror.ie)
- causeDeputy State pathologist Dr Michael Curtis said he was stabbed multiple times with injuries in the skull and neck (irishmirror.ie)
- causeDeputy State pathologist Dr Michael Curtis said Ken was stabbed multiple times with injuries in the skull and neck. (dublinlive.ie)
- causeDeputy State pathologist Dr Michael Curtis said Fetherston was stabbed multiple times with injuries in the skull and neck. (irishmirror.ie)
- investigationThe cold case investigation is being carried out by the Garda Serious Crime Review team. (irishmirror.ie)
- investigationGardaí are appealing for anyone with information about the murder to come forward. (irishmirror.ie)
- investigationCrimestoppers is offering a reward for information that may lead to a conviction. (irishmirror.ie)
- investigationA file will be prepared for the Director of Public Prosecutions. (garda.ie)
- investigationInvestigations are ongoing. (garda.ie)
- investigationThe Serious Crime Review Team began a review and investigation in 2020. (garda.ie, offalyexpress.ie)
- investigationGardaí searched a private residence in the midlands. (garda.ie, dublinlive.ie, offalyexpress.ie)
- investigationGardaí arrested a man in his 40s on suspicion of murder. (garda.ie)
- investigationThe Garda Serious Crime Review Team started a review and investigation into the murder in 2020. (dublinlive.ie)
- investigationGarda Serious Crime Review Team and Garda National Bureau of Criminal Investigation members carried out the search and arrest. (irishmirror.ie)
- investigationThe case is a cold case investigation that will go to the DPP after the investigation ends. (irishmirror.ie)
- investigationA cold case review was initiated in 2020 by the Serious Crime Review Team. (irishtimes.com)
- investigationThe review led to new evidence allowing gardaí to obtain a search warrant for a residential property in the midlands. (irishtimes.com)
- investigationFour men were arrested shortly after the body was found, but were released without charge. (irishtimes.com)
- investigationA file sent to the DPP found insufficient evidence to proceed. (irishtimes.com)
- investigationCold case gardai arrested a man in his 40s on suspicion of the murder. (irishmirror.ie)
- investigationGardaí searched a residence in the Midlands as part of the arrest. (irishmirror.ie)
- investigationGardaí are appealing for anyone with information to come forward. (irishmirror.ie)
- investigationThe arrest was made by cold case detectives. (irishmirror.ie)
- investigationGardaí are preparing a file for the DPP. (irishmirror.ie)
- investigationGardaí arrested a businessman on suspicion of the murder at an address in the Midlands. (irishmirror.ie)
- investigationA file is being prepared for the Director of Public Prosecutions. (irishmirror.ie)
- investigationThe original murder investigation saw five people arrested and released without charge (irishmirror.ie, dublinlive.ie)
- investigationThe DPP directed there was insufficient evidence to charge any of the suspects (irishmirror.ie)
- investigationThe chief suspect was released without charge (irishmirror.ie, dublinlive.ie)
- investigationThe file has not yet been sent to the DPP (irishmirror.ie)
- investigationOfficers spoke to hundreds of witnesses as part of the new investigation (irishmirror.ie)
- investigationThe Garda Serious Crime Review Team took on the case in 2020. (dublinlive.ie)
- investigationIn March 2025, cold case gardai arrested the chief suspect on suspicion of Kenneth's murder. (dublinlive.ie)
- investigationThe case file has not yet been sent to the DPP. (dublinlive.ie)
- investigationThe DPP directed there was insufficient evidence to charge any of the original suspects. (dublinlive.ie, irishmirror.ie)
- investigationBrian Fetherston was interviewed by gardai two and a half years ago for a full day. (dublinlive.ie)
- investigationThe Garda Serious Crime Review Team submitted a file to the DPP earlier this year. (irishmirror.ie)
- investigationOfficers made recommendations to charge a man in relation to the 2009 killing. (irishmirror.ie)
- investigationA man was arrested in relation to the murder in March 2024. (irishmirror.ie)
- investigationThe suspect was released without charge. (irishmirror.ie)
- investigationA Garda spokesperson confirmed a file was submitted and a decision is awaited. (irishmirror.ie)
- courtKen's inquest was held in 2012. (dublinlive.ie)
- otherTwo men are believed to have covered up the crime and dumped the remains in the mountains. (irishmirror.ie)
- otherAfter the investigation, the file has to go to the DPP. (irishmirror.ie)
- otherThe update was issued on 19 March 2024. (garda.ie)
- otherA man in his 40s has been released without charge. (garda.ie)
- otherThe arrested man is detained at a Garda station in the Eastern Region under section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act 1984. (garda.ie, dublinlive.ie)
- otherA man in his 40s was arrested on suspicion of murder following the search. (dublinlive.ie)
- otherThe man was being detained at a Garda station in the Eastern Region under section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act 1984. (irishmirror.ie)
- otherThe father and son are believed to have covered up the crime and dumped Kenneth's remains in the mountains. (irishmirror.ie)
- otherA man in his 40s was arrested in connection with the investigation during the search on Monday morning. (irishtimes.com)
- otherThe man is detained at a Garda station in the Eastern Region under section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act 1984. (irishtimes.com, offalyexpress.ie)
- otherThis is the sixth arrest in the investigation. (irishtimes.com)
- otherThe arrested man is understood to be a businessman who knew Kenneth Fetherston. (irishmirror.ie)
- otherBrian believes Ken was killed after confronting a man about money owed in business (irishmirror.ie)
- otherBrian had developed cancer at the time of Ken's disappearance (irishmirror.ie)
- otherGarage owner William Smith discussed money owed to Kenneth Fetherston with him. (dublinlive.ie)
- otherBrian Fetherston is 71 and had developed cancer around the time of the murder. (dublinlive.ie)
- otherKen was due to take over his father's business on 24 September 2009, two days after he went missing. (dublinlive.ie)
- otherKen Fetherston would have turned 43 in the week of 21 May 2026. (irishmirror.ie)
- otherKen Fetherston was a father of one, with a baby daughter named Nicole. (irishmirror.ie)
The reporting
newest first- 21 May2026Gardai finally send file to DPP on long unsolved murder of Ken Fetherston
Reports that the Garda Serious Crime Review Team has submitted a file to the DPP with recommendations to charge a man, after the suspect was arrested in March 2024 and released without charge. The file was submitted earlier in 2026 and a DPP decision is awaited.
victim, Kenneth Fetherston, 43, male, irish (judged from name)Kenneth Fetherstonsuspect, male - 23 Sep2025Dad of 2009 Dublin murder victim Ken Fetherston fears killer may never be caught
Anniversary feature with the victim's father; confirms the chief suspect was arrested in March 2025 and released without charge, the file has not yet been sent to the DPP, and the Garda Serious Crime Review Team took on the case in 2020.
victim, Ken Fetherston, male, irish (judged from name)Ken Fetherstonsuspect - 23 Sep2025Dad of man killed and dumped in mountains fears killer may never be caught
16th anniversary feature in which the victim's father comments on the stalled investigation; the chief suspect was arrested in March 2025 but released without charge and the file has not yet been sent to the DPP.
victim, Kenneth Fetherston, male, irish (judged from name)Kenneth Fetherstonsuspect, male - 20 Mar2024Dad of murder victim Ken Fetherston vows to fight for justice despite ill health
Covers the arrest and release of a businessman in the Fetherston case, a file going to the DPP, and the family's wish for a court case. Also adds the suspected motive of a row over money and a Crimestoppers reward.
victim, Kenneth Fetherston, male, irish (judged from name)Kenneth Fetherstonsuspect, male - 19 Mar2024Man arrested in investigation into long unsolved murder released without charge
Reports that the man arrested by cold case detectives in a midlands property search was released without charge and that a file is being prepared for the DPP.
victim, Kenneth Fetherston, male, irish (judged from name)Kenneth Fetherstonsuspect, 40s, male - 19 Mar2024Dad of unsolved murder victim Kenneth Fetherston 'speechless' as man arrested
Cold case development: a man in his 40s was arrested and a residence in the Midlands searched. The article also reports that the victim's father is hopeful of answers and that the case is at an advanced stage.
victim, Kenneth Fetherston, male, irish (judged from name)Kenneth Fetherstonsuspect, 40s, male - 18 Mar2024Man arrested in connection with 15-year murder investigation after search in the Midlands
Reports the arrest of a man in his 40s on suspicion of murder and a search of a private residence in the midlands. Says the Serious Crime Review Team began its review in 2020.
victim, Kenneth Fetherston, male, irish (judged from name)Kenneth Fetherstonsuspect, 40s, male - 18 Mar2024Man arrested as part of investigation into murder of bus driver 15 years ago
First report of the arrest of a man in his 40s, the sixth arrest in the investigation, after a cold case review that found new evidence.
victim, Kenneth Fetherston, 26, male, irish (judged from name)Kenneth Fetherstonsuspect, 40s, male - 18 Mar2024Man arrested in investigation into long unsolved murder of Dublin father
First report of the arrest in the Kenneth Fetherston murder investigation. It adds the arrest, the search of a residence in the midlands, and the detention under section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act 1984. It also gives background on the 2009 disappearance and the 2010 discovery of the remains.
victim, Kenneth Fetherston, male, irish (judged from name)Kenneth Fetherstonsuspect, 40s, male - 18 Mar2024Man arrested in connection with 2009 murder of Tallaght man Kenneth Fetherston
First report of an arrest in the 2009 murder of Kenneth Fetherston, whose remains were found in the Dublin Mountains in January 2010. Gardaí's Serious Crime Review Team began a review in 2020.
victim, Kenneth Fetherston, 26, male, irish (judged from name)Kenneth Fetherstonsuspect, 40s, male - 1 Mar2024Update – Investigation into murder of Kenneth Fetherston on the 22/09/2009
Garda update on a cold-case murder investigation. A man in his 40s has been arrested on suspicion of murder after a search in the midlands. The article does not name the arrested man.
victim, Kenneth Fetherston, irish (judged from name)Kenneth Fetherstonsuspect, 40s, male - 1 Mar2024Update 2 – Investigation into murder of Kenneth Fetherston on the 22/09/2009
Second update from gardaí: the man in his 40s has been released without charge and a file is going to the DPP. Investigation continues.
victim, Kenneth Fetherston, irish (judged from name)Kenneth Fetherstonsuspect, 40s, male - 18 Sep2023Kenneth Fetherston cold case murder probe at 'advanced' stage
Feature marking the 14th anniversary of the murder. The article gives no date for the murder itself, and it reports the investigation is at an advanced stage with no arrest or charge.
victim, Kenneth Fetherston, male, irish (judged from name)Kenneth Fetherstonsuspect, malesuspect, male