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. 7012Murder · Co. Mayo · 1 Jun 2013

Mother thanks community after fundraiser for headstone of murdered baby Joshua Suessbier

Six-month-old Irish baby Joshua Suessbier died at his home at Lavallyroe, Cloonfad, Ballyhaunis, Co Mayo, on 1 June 2013 after choking on a ball of tissue. His ex-partner, John Tighe, aged 45, was charged with murder, and a jury returned a unanimous guilty verdict. Tighe was given a mandatory life sentence in March 2018, and his bid to have the conviction quashed failed at the Court of Appeal in March 2023. In November 2023, a GoFundMe campaign that raised almost €4,000 from 125 donors helped pay for a new headstone and grave, completed on 16 November 2023, and the baby's mother, Natascha Suessbier, thanked the community.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In courtnot reported
  5. Verdictnot reported
  6. Sentenced29 Nov
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
Six-month-old Joshua Suessbier was murdered.
Where
Joshua died at his home at Lavallyroe, Cloonfad, Ballyhaunis, Co Mayo.
When
Joshua died on 1 June 2013.
Cause
Joshua fatally choked on a ball of tissue.
Weapon
The ball of tissue was the object that caused Joshua's fatal choking.
Investigation
Expert medical witnesses said Joshua could not have formed or swallowed the wad independently.
Charges
John Tighe, the baby's ex-partner, was charged with murder.
In court
  • The jury returned a unanimous guilty verdict.
  • Tighe's bid to have his conviction quashed failed at the Court of Appeal in March 2023.
Sentence
Tighe is serving a mandatory life sentence handed down in March 2018.
Other details
  • Tighe claimed he carelessly left a wad of tissues within Joshua's reach while he went to the toilet.
  • A GoFundMe campaign raised almost €4,000 from 125 donors for a new headstone and grave.
  • The new headstone and grave was completed on 16 November 2023.
  • Joshua's mother, Natascha Suessbier, thanked people for supporting the fundraiser.
11 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatSix-month-old Joshua Suessbier was murdered. (galwaybeo.ie)
  • whereJoshua died at his home at Lavallyroe, Cloonfad, Ballyhaunis, Co Mayo. (galwaybeo.ie)
  • whenJoshua died on 1 June 2013. (galwaybeo.ie)
  • causeJoshua fatally choked on a ball of tissue. (galwaybeo.ie)
  • courtExpert medical witnesses said Joshua could not have formed or swallowed the wad independently. (galwaybeo.ie)
  • courtThe jury returned a unanimous guilty verdict. (galwaybeo.ie)
  • courtTighe's most recent bid to have his conviction quashed failed at the Court of Appeal last March. (galwaybeo.ie)
  • sentenceTighe is serving a mandatory life sentence handed down in March 2018. (galwaybeo.ie)
  • otherTighe claimed he carelessly left a wad of tissues within Joshua's reach while he went to the toilet. (galwaybeo.ie)
  • otherA GoFundMe campaign raised almost €4,000 from 125 donors for a new headstone and grave. (galwaybeo.ie)
  • otherThe new headstone and grave was completed on 16 November 2023. (galwaybeo.ie)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 29 Nov2023
    Sentencedgalwaybeo.ie, first report
    Mum of murdered Irish baby 'grateful' as community helps remember tragic tot

    Follow-up feature on the Joshua Suessbier case. It adds the GoFundMe headstone fundraiser, the headstone's completion on 16 November 2023, and Tighe's failed Court of Appeal bid to quash his conviction.

    victim, Joshua Suessbier, six months, male, Irish, irishJoshua Suessbierconvicted, John Tighe, 45, male, named, irish (judged from name)John Tighe