Ireland Noel Long appeals conviction for 1981 murder of Nora Sheehan, Cork
Nora Sheehan, a woman, died in June 1981, and her body was found at The Viewing Point in Shippool Woods, Cork. A retired inspector said he arrested Noel Long, a man, for murder in 1981. A jury convicted Long of murder in August 2023 after a trial, relying on DNA, fibre and paint evidence that prosecutors linked to him and his car. Long has appealed the conviction, and the grounds are to be heard over three days in the Court of Appeal, where his counsel argues prejudicial delay and unlawful detention and car seizure under Section 30 in 1981.
- Reported
- Arrested
- Charged
- In court
- Verdict
- Sentenced
Key facts
consolidated from all reports- What happened
- Noel Long, a man, was convicted of murdering Nora Sheehan, a woman, and has launched a bid to overturn the conviction.
- Where
- Sheehan's body was found at The Viewing Point, Shippool Woods, Cork.
- When
- Sheehan died in June 1981.
- Investigation
- A retired inspector said he arrested Long for murder in 1981, but Long's counsel argues that Section 30 did not permit such an arrest.
- A partial DNA profile from semen found in Sheehan's body matched DNA on clothing taken from Long in 2021.
- Fibres recovered from Sheehan matched carpeting from Long's car, and paint fragments matched paint from the same vehicle.
- In court
- A jury convicted Long of murder in August 2023 after a trial.
- The DPP's counsel submits that the trial judge correctly admitted the DNA and other evidence.
- The appeal grounds are to be heard over three days in the Court of Appeal.
- Other details
- Long's appeal argues there was prejudicial delay in bringing the case and that the DNA evidence should not have gone before the jury.
- Long's counsel argues it was unlawful to hold him for questioning and to seize his car when he was arrested under Section 30 in 1981.
11 statements extracted from the articles
- whatLong has launched a bid to overturn his murder conviction. (thejournal.ie)
- whereSheehan's body was found at The Viewing Point, Shippool Woods in Cork. (thejournal.ie)
- whenSheehan died in June 1981. (thejournal.ie)
- investigationA partial DNA profile from semen found in Sheehan's body matched DNA on clothing taken from Long in 2021. (thejournal.ie)
- investigationFibres recovered from Sheehan matched carpeting from Long's car, and paint fragments matched paint from the same vehicle. (thejournal.ie)
- investigationA retired inspector said he arrested Long for murder in 1981, although Section 30 would not permit such an arrest. (thejournal.ie)
- courtA jury convicted Long of murder in August 2023 after a trial. (thejournal.ie)
- courtThe appeal grounds are to be heard over three days in the Court of Appeal. (thejournal.ie)
- courtThe DPP's counsel submits the trial judge correctly admitted the DNA and other evidence. (thejournal.ie)
- otherLong's appeal argues there was prejudicial delay in bringing the case and that DNA evidence should not have gone before the jury. (thejournal.ie)
- otherLong's counsel argues it was unlawful to hold Long for questioning and to seize his car when arrested under Section 30 in 1981. (thejournal.ie)
The reporting
newest first- 1 Feb2026Noel Long appeals cold case conviction for the murder of Nora Sheehan 44 years ago
Long's appeal against his murder conviction is heard in the Court of Appeal; the article sets out the grounds of appeal and the prosecution response. Adds the appeal grounds, the arrest challenge under Section 30, and the evidence summarised at the 2023 trial.
victim, Nora Sheehan, 54, female, irish (judged from name)Nora Sheehanconvicted, Noel Long, 77, male, named, irish (judged from name)Noel Long