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. 1896Murder · Co. Clare · 8 Apr 2005

Interpol Blue Notice issued for John Griffin in 2005 murder of Emer O'Loughlin, Co Clare

On 8 April 2005, the remains of 23-year-old artist and college student Emer O'Loughlin were found in a fire-destroyed mobile home in Ballybornagh, Tubber, Co Clare, that belonged to 57-year-old John Griffin, formerly of the Mervue area of Galway city. Griffin went missing ten days after the fire, was tracked to Inis Mór in the Aran Islands where his clothing was found on a cliff top in what gardaí believe was a staged suicide, and has not been seen since. Forensic tests following a 2010 exhumation indicated O'Loughlin had died a violent death, upgrading the investigation to murder. An Interpol Blue Notice was issued for Griffin after the agency mistakenly published a Red Notice, and on the 20th anniversary in April 2025 gardaí renewed their public appeal, saying they believe he is still alive and want to interview him.

  1. Reported8 Apr
    2 reports
  2. Arrested
  3. Charged
  4. In court
  5. Verdict
  6. Sentenced
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
Human remains were discovered in a fire-destroyed mobile home in Ballybornagh, Tubber, Co Clare, and later identified as those of Emer O'Loughlin, a 23-year-old artist and college student who was living there with her boyfriend.
When
The remains were found on 8 April 2005, and the investigation was upgraded to murder following forensic tests after a 2010 exhumation.
Cause
Forensic tests indicated O'Loughlin had died a violent death.
Investigation
  • John Griffin, a 57-year-old man formerly of the Mervue area of Galway city, went missing ten days after the fire and was tracked to Inis Mór in the Aran Islands, where his clothing was found on a cliff top in what gardaí believe was a staged suicide.
  • After a stand-off with gardaí, Griffin was taken for psychiatric treatment to a Galway hospital but left after a number of days, and extensive searches along the coastline found no remains.
  • An Interpol Blue Notice was issued for Griffin after the agency mistakenly published a Red Notice that effectively ordered his arrest for extradition to Ireland, though gardaí were never in a position to request his extradition.
  • Several reported sightings of Griffin have been made, none confirmed, and gardaí believe he is still alive and may have been assisted by unknown persons in leaving the island.
In court
No arrest, charge, or court proceedings have taken place; gardaí want to interview Griffin as part of the investigation.
Other details
On the 20th anniversary in April 2025, gardaí renewed their public appeal and Interpol requested police forces worldwide to share information about Griffin.
24 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatGriffin has been described as a drifter likely to be living a transient life. (irishtimes.com)
  • whatEmer O'Loughlin was an artist and college student who was living in a caravan with her boyfriend while they saved for a house. (irishtimes.com)
  • whereThe killing took place in Ballybornagh, Tubber, Co Clare. (irishtimes.com)
  • whereGriffin was spotted going to Inis Mór in the Aran islands, off the west coast of Ireland. (irishtimes.com)
  • whereJohn Griffin is formerly of the Mervue area of Galway city. (irishtimes.com)
  • investigationAn Interpol Blue Notice relating to Galway man John Griffin was issued after the agency mistakenly published a Red Notice for him. (irishtimes.com)
  • investigationThe Red Notice effectively ordered Griffin's arrest for extradition to Ireland, even though gardaí were never in a position to request his extradition. (irishtimes.com)
  • investigationThe Red Notice was mistakenly published online by Interpol when the investigation was at a sensitive stage and moving quickly due to its upgrading to a murder inquiry. (irishtimes.com)
  • investigationGriffin went missing but was later tracked down to Dún Aonghasa on Inis Mór where he was in a distressed and anxious state and engaged in a stand-off with gardaí. (irishtimes.com)
  • investigationAfter the stand-off, Griffin was taken for psychiatric treatment to a Galway hospital but left after a number of days. (irishtimes.com)
  • investigationGriffin returned to Inis Mór where some of his clothing was found, apparently suggesting he had taken his own life, but gardaí believe the scenario was staged and he had left the country. (irishtimes.com)
  • investigationThere have been several reported sightings of Griffin, though none confirmed, including disembarking a flight from London to Germany weeks after the murder. (irishtimes.com)
  • investigationGardaí believe Griffin is still alive and are hopeful people who knew him in Ireland or may have met him during the last 20 years will come forward. (irishtimes.com)
  • investigationGardaí said they had never received a missing persons report in respect of Griffin. (irishtimes.com)
  • investigationExtensive searches were conducted along the coastline following the discovery of Griffin's clothing, with no remains found. (irishtimes.com)
  • investigationAnyone with information is asked to contact Gort Garda station on 091-636400. (irishtimes.com)
  • otherThe mobile home belonged to John Griffin and had been completely destroyed by fire. (irishtimes.com)
  • otherJohn Griffin went missing 10 days after the fire at the mobile home. (irishtimes.com)
  • otherThe discovery of his clothes on a cliff top was believed to be an attempt to fake his own suicide. (irishtimes.com)
  • otherInterpol later named Griffin on their most-wanted list. (irishtimes.com)
  • otherThe forensic tests indicated she had died a violent death, and the investigation was upgraded to murder. (irishtimes.com)
  • otherGardaí believe Griffin may have information and are eager to interview him as part of the investigation. (irishtimes.com)
  • otherGardaí have never received a missing-person report in respect of Griffin. (irishtimes.com)
  • otherExtensive searches were conducted along the coastline after his clothing was discovered, but he has never been sighted. (irishtimes.com)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 8 Apr2025
    Reportedirishtimes.com, follow-up
    Police forces worldwide asked to share information on Emer O’Loughlin murder suspect

    20th anniversary appeal; Interpol Blue Notice issued after mistaken Red Notice; details on Griffin's description, movements after the murder, and gardaí's belief he staged his own death on Inis Mór.

    victim, 23, female, irish (judged from name)suspect, John Griffin, 57, male, named, irish (judged from name)John Griffin
  2. 8 Apr2025
    Reportedirishtimes.com, follow-up
    Gardaí renew appeal 20 years after murder of Emer O’Loughlin

    Renewed public appeal on the 20th anniversary; provides additional details about Griffin's disappearance from Inis Mór, his physical description, the 2010 exhumation and forensic tests that upgraded the case to murder, and the belief that he was assisted by unknown persons in leaving the island.

    victim, 23, female, irish (judged from name)suspect, John Griffin, 57, male, named, irish (judged from name)John Griffin