THE FAMILY OF Marie Tierney, who was murdered 33 years ago, have spoken out for the first time, appealing to anyone with information to come forward.
34-year-old mother of two Marie Tierney was fatally injured on a date unknown between 21 October 1984 to 21 December 1984.
Marie was reported missing on 22 October 1984 by her husband. She had left their house the evening before at around 10.30pm in the family car, a Renault 18 Estate Registration number 35-HIP and had not returned.
An investigation by local gardaí located the car later that day.
However, a number of searches were conducted by gardaí and members of Marie Tierney’s family and friends but Marie could not be located. On 21 December 1984, the body of Marie Tierney was located in a ditch by a man out walking on the Bleach Road, Kilkenny.
Speaking to Crimecall on RTÉ One, Marie’s sister Breda said she still feels the impact of her death.
“My sister was violently murdered 33 years ago …and her body was found eight weeks later in a ditch,” Breda said.
She described her sister as “devoted to her children” and said that “there’s no such thing as a perfect parent but she was as close as you could get”.
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The two-month extensive search for Marie put a huge strain on her family.
“It was a nightmare. One day you would say she’s alive and the next day you’re distraught again… you know she’s not,” Breda said.
The news that Marie’s body had been found devastated the family, according to her brother John.
Speaking to Crimecall, he described the moment he got the call from gardaí about her death: “I slid down along the wall. I just wasn’t able to take any more.
“What happened to her, to be thrown in a dyke, for her life to end up that way, you wouldn’t do it to an animal.”
Marie’s sister-in-law Brigid has made a heartfelt appeal for information about her death.
“Somebody out there knows what happened that night. Come forward and say it now. It’s never too late to do the right thing,” Brigid said.
Speaking alongside Brigid, Breda also appealed for those with information to come forward.
“Please come and help us even now after 33 years.”
Anyone with information is asked to contact Crimecall on 1800 40 50 60, or Kilkenny Garda Station on 056 777 5000.
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