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. 3805Murder · Co. Cork · 1 Jun 1981

Noel Long appeals cold case murder conviction for Nora Sheehan in Court of Appeal

Noel Long, 77, is appealing his 2023 conviction for the 1981 murder of Nora Sheehan, 54, in Cork, arguing prejudicial delay, inadmissibility of DNA evidence, and that his 1981 arrest under section 30 was unlawful. The three-day Court of Appeal hearing opened on 16 February 2026.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In court16 Feb
  5. Verdict
  6. Sentenced
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
16 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatNoel Long is seeking to overturn his conviction for murdering Nora Sheehan 44 years ago. (irishtimes.com)
  • whatLong argues there was a prejudicial delay in bringing the case and that DNA evidence should not have been put before the jury. (irishtimes.com)
  • whatLong pleaded not guilty to murder. (irishtimes.com)
  • whatSheehan's naked and bruised body was found by forestry workers at The Viewing Point, Shippool Woods in Cork. (irishtimes.com)
  • whatRetired Garda inspector Matthew Thorne, 91, said he arrested Long for the murder, although section 30 would not permit such an arrest. (irishtimes.com)
  • whatA search warrant was issued by the District Court in late 2021, grounded on information from the 1981 car examination and blood sample. (irishtimes.com)
  • whereLong has an address at Maulbawn, Passage West, Co Cork. (irishtimes.com)
  • whenThe body was found six days after Sheehan went missing. (irishtimes.com)
  • whenLong was arrested on 16 June 1981. (irishtimes.com)
  • courtIn August 2023, the State succeeded in pursuing the oldest murder prosecution in Irish history. (irishtimes.com)
  • courtThe appeal hearing is before the Court of Appeal and is a three-day hearing. (irishtimes.com)
  • courtDPP counsel Seoirse Ó Dunlaing SC submitted the trial judge correctly admitted the DNA and other evidence. (irishtimes.com)
  • otherLong has a 1972 conviction for sexual offending. (irishtimes.com)
  • otherLong is now 77 years old. (irishtimes.com)
  • otherNora Sheehan was 54 and a mother of three. (irishtimes.com)
  • otherLong is a former British army soldier. (irishtimes.com)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 16 Feb2026
    In courtirishtimes.com, follow-up
    Noel Long appeals cold case conviction for murdering Nora Sheehan 44 years ago

    Reports the opening of Long's Court of Appeal hearing, with his counsel Michael Delaney SC raising grounds of delay, DNA admissibility, and the legality of his 1981 arrest under section 30 of the Offences Against the State Act 1939. DPP counsel Seoirse Ó Dunlaing SC submitted the trial judge correctly admitted the evidence.

    victim, Nora Sheehan, 54, female, irish (judged from name)Nora Sheehanconvicted, Noel Long, 77, male, named, irish (judged from name)Noel Long