Ireland Case No. 6224Murder · Co. Galway · 8 Apr 2005
Suspect John Griffin sought over 2005 murder of Emer O'Loughlin in Galway
Emer O'Loughlin, a 23-year-old woman, was killed on 8 April 2005 at a park on the Galway-Clare border, and her death was treated as suspicious from the outset. Her body was found in the burnt-out remains of her neighbour's home, and a caravan at the park was owned by John Griffin, a man from Mervue in Galway, who is named as the suspected killer. A post-exhumation examination in 2010 found she had suffered a violent death before the fire, and gardaí believe Griffin faked his death and fled, though sources differ on whether he or the missing neighbour is wanted by gardaí and Interpol. In the latest reports, dated 25 March 2024, no arrest had been made and the case was due to feature on RTÉ's Crime Call that night.
- Reported22 Mar
- Arrested
- Charged
- In court
- Verdict
- Sentenced
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet
Key facts
consolidated from all reports- What happened
- Emer O'Loughlin, a 23-year-old woman, was killed.
- When
- She was murdered on 8 April 2005.
- Where
- Sources say she was killed in a caravan at a park on the Galway-Clare border, and one key fact says her body was found in a caravan owned by John Griffin at that park.
- Her body was found in the burnt-out remains of her neighbour's home.
- Cause
- A post-exhumation examination in 2010 found she had suffered a violent death before the fire, with severe head and back injuries.
- Investigation
- Her death was treated as suspicious from the outset, and the suspected killer is named as John Griffin, a man from Mervue in Galway.
- Gardaí believe Griffin faked his death and fled, possibly under an alias, and sources differ on where he may be: one reports a sighting in Morocco in 2019, while another says he is hiding somewhere in Europe.
- Sources differ on who is wanted by gardaí and Interpol: one says John Griffin, while the Justice for Emer O'Loughlin campaign says the missing neighbour.
- The case was to feature on RTÉ's Crime Call on Monday 25 March 2024, and Crimestoppers is offering a substantial reward for information.
- Other details
- Griffin has previous convictions for assault.
- One key fact says Griffin barricaded himself in Dun Aengus fort on Inishmore and was overpowered after a nine-hour stand-off, after boarding a ferry there on April 18 with his head and beard shaved, but no year is given and the March 2024 reports describe him as still at large.
- Charges
- No arrest has been made, and the articles report no charge against Griffin.
29 statements extracted from the articles
- whatHer body was found in the burnt-out remains of her neighbour's home. (irishmirror.ie)
- whatEmer O'Loughlin, aged 23, was killed. (galwaybeo.ie)
- whereThe murder took place in a caravan at a park on the Galway-Clare border. (galwaybeo.ie, irishmirror.ie)
- whereHer body was found in a caravan owned by John Griffin at a park on the Galway-Clare border. (galwaybeo.ie)
- whenEmer O'Loughlin was murdered on 8 April 2005. (galwaybeo.ie, irishmirror.ie)
- whenEmer was allegedly murdered on April 8, 2005. (galwaybeo.ie)
- causeShe had suffered a violent death before the fire, dying of severe head and back injuries. (galwaybeo.ie)
- causeA post-exhumation examination found she had suffered a violent death before the fire, with severe head and back injuries. (irishmirror.ie)
- causeEmer died of severe head and back injuries. (galwaybeo.ie)
- investigationThe suspected killer, John Griffin, is wanted by gardaí and Interpol. (galwaybeo.ie)
- investigationGardaí believe Griffin faked his death and fled after the body was discovered. (galwaybeo.ie)
- investigationEmer's case is to feature on RTÉ Crime Call on Monday 25 March. (galwaybeo.ie)
- investigationCrimestoppers is offering a substantial reward for information about the case. (galwaybeo.ie, irishmirror.ie)
- investigationGardaí believe Griffin faked his death and fled the country. (irishmirror.ie)
- investigationGardaí believe the suspect is hiding under an alias. (irishmirror.ie)
- investigationThe neighbour is wanted by Gardaí and Interpol, according to the campaign. (irishmirror.ie)
- investigationThe case will feature on RTÉ's Crime Call to reignite public interest. (irishmirror.ie)
- investigationGardaí believe Griffin faked his death and fled after Emer's body was discovered. (galwaybeo.ie)
- investigationGriffin has been hunted by gardaí since the killing because he owned the caravan. (galwaybeo.ie)
- investigationEmer's case was featured on RTÉ's Crimecall to prompt public memories. (galwaybeo.ie)
- otherHer body was found in the burnt remains of her neighbour's home. (galwaybeo.ie)
- otherGriffin has convictions for assault. (galwaybeo.ie)
- otherGriffin is believed to be hiding under an assumed name somewhere in Europe. (galwaybeo.ie)
- otherThe caravan belonged to the suspected killer, John Griffin. (irishmirror.ie)
- otherThe suspected killer has convictions for assault. (irishmirror.ie)
- otherGriffin has previous convictions for assault. (galwaybeo.ie)
- otherGardaí believe Griffin may be hiding under an alias, with a sighting in Morocco in 2019. (galwaybeo.ie)
- otherGriffin barricaded himself inside Dun Aengus fort on Inishmore and was overpowered after a nine-hour stand-off. (galwaybeo.ie)
- otherGriffin shaved his head and beard and boarded a ferry to Inis Mór on April 18. (galwaybeo.ie)
The reporting
newest first- 25 Mar2024Galway murder suspect John Griffin spotted around world years after 'fake death'
Feature on a 2005 murder with the suspect still at large; reports a Crimecall feature, a family Facebook appeal, a reported 2019 sighting in Morocco and Griffin's 2024 Inishmore incident.
victim, Emer O'Loughlin, 23, female, irish (judged from name)Emer O'Loughlinsuspect, John Griffin, male, named, irish (judged from name)John Griffin - 23 Mar2024Unsolved murder of young Galway woman to be investigated on RTÉ's Crime Call
Cold-case publicity: the murder will feature on RTÉ Crime Call on 25 March 2024; the suspect is believed to be abroad under an alias and a Crimestoppers reward is on offer.
victim, Emer O'Loughlin, 23, female, irish (judged from name)Emer O'Loughlinsuspect, John Griffin, male, named, irish (judged from name)John Griffin - 22 Mar2024Galway gardai involve RTE to solve one of Ireland’s longest murder mysteries
Cold-case appeal ahead of RTÉ Crime Call on 25 March 2024. No arrest has been made, and the article gives details of the victim, the suspect and the reward offered.
victim, Emer O'Loughlin, 23, female, irish (judged from name)Emer O'Loughlinsuspect, John Griffin, male, named, irish (judged from name)John Griffin