Ireland Gardaí update appeal over 2005 death of Emer O'Loughlin in Galway
Emer O'Loughlin, a 23-year-old woman, was allegedly murdered on 8 April 2005, and her body was found in a burnt-out mobile home, a caravan owned by John Griffin, at a park on the Galway-Clare border. John Griffin, who is from the Mervue area, disappeared after her death and is one of Interpol's most wanted. Her body was exhumed in 2010, when it was found she had suffered a violent death before the fire, and on 5 November 2025 an inquest jury returned a verdict of unlawful killing. On 6 November 2025 Gardaí issued a statement saying they believe Griffin is still alive and was assisted in leaving Inis Mór, and the family's appeal for information remains in place.
- Reported
- Arrested
- Charged
- In court
- Verdict
- Sentenced
Key facts
consolidated from all reports- What happened
- Emer O'Loughlin, a 23-year-old woman, was found dead in a burnt-out mobile home.
- Where
- Her body was found in a caravan owned by John Griffin, at a park on the Galway-Clare border.
- John Griffin is from the Mervue area.
- When
- Emer O'Loughlin was allegedly murdered on 8 April 2005.
- Cause
- Her death was treated as suspicious from the outset.
- Her body was exhumed in 2010, when it was discovered she had suffered a violent death before the fire.
- She died of severe head and back injuries.
- Investigation
- John Griffin disappeared after her death, his whereabouts are unknown, and he is one of Interpol's most wanted.
- Gardaí believe Griffin faked his death and fled after her body was discovered.
- Gardaí believe Griffin is still alive, was assisted in leaving Inis Mór, and may be using an alias; a sighting in Morocco was reported in 2019.
- Gardaí have never received a missing person report for Griffin.
- Gardaí issued a fresh statement on 6 November 2025 about the 20-year-old case.
- The family's appeal for information about the suspect remains in place.
- In court
- On 5 November 2025 an inquest jury returned a verdict of unlawful killing.
- Other details
- John Griffin has previous convictions for assault.
19 statements extracted from the articles
- whatThe inquest jury returned a verdict of unlawful killing for Emer O'Loughlin. (galwaybeo.ie)
- whatEmer O'Loughlin, 23, was found dead in a burnt-out mobile home. (galwaybeo.ie)
- whatJohn Griffin disappeared after Emer O'Loughlin's death and his whereabouts are unknown. (galwaybeo.ie)
- whereHer body was found in a caravan owned by John Griffin, at a park on the Galway-Clare border. (galwaybeo.ie)
- whereHer body was found in a burnt-out mobile home. (galwaybeo.ie)
- whenEmer O'Loughlin was allegedly murdered on April 8, 2005. (galwaybeo.ie)
- whenEmer O'Loughlin was allegedly murdered on 8 April 2005. (galwaybeo.ie)
- causeIt was discovered after her body was exhumed in 2010 that she had suffered a violent death before the fire. (galwaybeo.ie)
- causeShe died of severe head and back injuries. (galwaybeo.ie)
- investigationGardaí believe John Griffin faked his death and fled after Emer's body was discovered. (galwaybeo.ie)
- investigationJohn Griffin is one of Interpol's most wanted. (galwaybeo.ie)
- investigationThe family's appeal for information about the murder suspect is ongoing. (galwaybeo.ie)
- investigationGardaí believe John Griffin is still alive and was assisted in leaving Inis Mór. (galwaybeo.ie)
- investigationGardaí have never received a missing person report for John Griffin. (galwaybeo.ie)
- investigationGardaí believe Griffin faked his death and fled after Emer's body was discovered. (galwaybeo.ie)
- investigationThe family's appeal for information about the suspect remains in place. (galwaybeo.ie)
- courtA jury returned a verdict of unlawful killing on 5 November 2025. (galwaybeo.ie)
- otherJohn Griffin has previous convictions for assault. (galwaybeo.ie)
- otherGardaí believe Griffin may be hiding under an alias, with a recent sighting in Morocco in 2019. (galwaybeo.ie)
The reporting
newest first- 6 Nov2025Gardai issue fresh update over one of Ireland's longest ongoing murder cases
Garda statement issued 20 years after the case, with the jury's unlawful killing verdict on 5 November 2025. Gardaí say Griffin is still alive and was assisted in leaving Inis Mór, and that he has never been reported missing.
victim, Emer O'Loughlin, 23, female, irish (judged from name)Emer O'Loughlinsuspect, John Griffin, male, named, irish (judged from name)John Griffin - 5 Nov2025Galway man number one murder suspect as woman 'unlawfully killed'
Reports the inquest verdict of unlawful killing and that suspect John Griffin, who fled after the death, remains at large. Adds the family's ongoing appeal and details of the investigation.
victim, Emer O'Loughlin, 23, female, irish (judged from name)Emer O'Loughlinsuspect, John Griffin, male, named, irish (judged from name)John Griffin