GARDAÍ HAVE ARRESTED two men as part of an ongoing investigation into the murder of Dessie Fox in 1990.

Fox (47) was a well-known bookmaker.

He was driving from his home in Dungannon in Tyrone on 30 September 1990 to a race meeting at the Curragh in Kildare when his car was intercepted by a number of armed men at Healy’s Bridge in Prosperous.

He sustained a gunshot wound during the incident and died at the scene.

Gardaí believe a gang specifically targeted Fox because he was a bookmaker and would usually have a large amount of cash with him. What is unclear is which gang was responsible.

The two men, aged 50 and 61, were arrested in the Dublin area this morning during an operation involving gardaí from Kildare and members of the National Bureau of Criminal Investigation.

They are currently being detained, under Section 30 of the Offences against the State Act, at Naas and Leixlip garda stations.

Investigating gardaí continue to appeal for information in relation to the case and believe that “a number of people have yet to come forward who may now be in a position to assist in bringing those responsible to justice”.

Speaking at the annual delegate conference of the Garda Representative Association (GRA), acting Garda Commissioner Donáll Ó Cualáin described it as a significant development in the investigation. He also said it shows the determination of gardaí, even in respect of cold cases.

“These cases remain open and we’ve got a very well equipped and experienced team, Serious Crime Review Team, who look at these cases and assist the local investigators in the context of developments.

“And these developments often come from scientific developments, but they also come from members of the public who over time may remember something recall something or maybe have a change of mind to cooperating with the garda.

“I’d like to appeal again to the public in the context of that investigation for whatever information people might have to get to a successful conclusion”.

Anyone with information has been asked to contact Naas Garda Station on 045 884 300, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111 or any garda station.

- With reporting by Michelle Hennessy.