Thursday 29 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. 7727Murder · Co. Louth

Son of murdered republicans brings High Court actions over State investigations

Dominic McGlinchey Snr, a man, was shot dead by two gunmen at a phone box at Hardmans Gardens, Drogheda, Co Louth, on February 10th, 1994, and Mary McGlinchey, a woman, was murdered at her home in Dundalk, Co Louth, on January 31st, 1987. An allegation has been made that Billy Wright, a man, possibly carried out Dominic McGlinchey Snr's murder, and the matters were re-opened in 2012, when the couple's son, Dominic Og McGlinchey, met gardaí about the investigation. The son then brought High Court actions against the Commissioner, the Minister for Justice, Ireland and the Attorney General, claiming the State failed to properly investigate the murders, and a hearing reported on July 31st, 2023 saw Ms Justice Niamh Hyland grant him permission to bring both actions. The cases will return before the High Court in October.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In court31 Jul
  5. Verdict
  6. Sentenced
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
Where
  • Dominic McGlinchey Snr was shot dead at a phone box at Hardmans Gardens, Drogheda, Co Louth.
  • Mary McGlinchey was murdered in her home in Dundalk, Co Louth.
When
  • Dominic McGlinchey Snr was shot dead on February 10th, 1994.
  • Mary McGlinchey was murdered on January 31st, 1987.
Cause
  • Dominic McGlinchey Snr was shot dead by two gunmen.
  • Two balaclava-clad gunmen entered Mary McGlinchey's house, and she was shot nine times in the head, neck and chest.
Other details
The article describes Dominic McGlinchey Snr as chief of staff of the National Liberation Army in the 1980s, after he left the IRA.
Investigation
  • An allegation says Billy Wright possibly carried out the murder of Dominic McGlinchey Snr.
  • The son claims no one has ever been charged, convicted or arrested over his parents' killings, and that there has been no cross-border co-operation.
  • The son claims lines of inquiry into his mother's murder that were open to gardaí were not followed up.
  • The son claims his mother was murdered by loyalist terrorists in collusion with agents of the British and Northern Irish security forces.
  • The matters were re-opened in 2012, and the son has met gardaí about the investigation.
  • The son claims his requests to be updated on the investigations have not been meaningfully answered.
In court
  • Dominic Og McGlinchey, a son of the two victims, brought High Court actions against the Commissioner, the Minister for Justice, Ireland and the Attorney General, claiming the State has not complied with its constitutional obligations to ensure effective investigations.
  • Ms Justice Niamh Hyland granted the son permission to bring both actions, and the cases will return before the High Court in October.
18 statements extracted from the articles
  • whereDominic McGlinchey Snr was shot dead at a phone box at Hardmans Gardens, Drogheda, Co Louth. (irishtimes.com)
  • whereMary McGlinchey was murdered in her home in Dundalk, Co Louth. (irishtimes.com)
  • whenDominic McGlinchey Snr was shot dead on February 10th, 1994. (irishtimes.com)
  • whenMary McGlinchey was murdered on January 31st, 1987. (irishtimes.com)
  • causeDominic McGlinchey Snr was shot dead by two gunmen. (irishtimes.com)
  • causeTwo balaclava-clad gunmen entered Mary McGlinchey's house. (irishtimes.com)
  • causeMary McGlinchey was shot nine times in the head, neck and chest. (irishtimes.com)
  • investigationThe son claims the Irish State has not met its constitutional obligations to ensure effective investigations were carried out. (irishtimes.com)
  • investigationThe son claims no one has ever been charged, convicted or arrested over his parents' killings and that there has been no cross-border co-operation. (irishtimes.com)
  • investigationThere was an allegation that Billy Wright possibly carried out Dominic McGlinchey Snr's murder. (irishtimes.com)
  • investigationThe son claims lines of inquiry into his mother's murder that were open to gardaí were not followed up. (irishtimes.com)
  • investigationThe son claims his mother was murdered by loyalist terrorists in collusion with agents of the British and Northern Irish security forces. (irishtimes.com)
  • investigationThe matters were re-opened in 2012, and the son has met gardaí about the investigation. (irishtimes.com)
  • investigationThe son claims his requests to be updated on the investigations have not been meaningfully answered. (irishtimes.com)
  • courtA son of the two murdered republicans has brought High Court actions claiming the State failed to properly investigate the murders. (irishtimes.com)
  • courtThe son has brought High Court proceedings against the Commissioner, the Minister for Justice, Ireland and the Attorney General. (irishtimes.com)
  • courtThe cases came before Ms Justice Niamh Hyland on Monday, and she granted the son permission to bring both actions. (irishtimes.com)
  • courtThe cases will return before the High Court in October. (irishtimes.com)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 31 Jul2023
    In courtirishtimes.com, follow-up
    Son of slain republicans Dominic and Mary McGlinchey claims State failed to properly investigate their murders

    Reports a High Court civil action by the son of two murder victims over the State's investigation of their killings, covering both the 1987 and 1994 murders, and the court's ex parte permission granted on Monday.

    victim, Dominic McGlinchey Snr, male, irish (judged from name)Dominic McGlinchey Snrvictim, Mary McGlinchey, female, irish (judged from name)Mary McGlincheysuspect, Billy Wright, male, namedBilly Wright