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A PHOTOGRAPH OF convicted murderer Mark Nash taken just hours before he killed two women in Grangegorman has been released tonight.
The photograph, released by RTÉ Prime Time – which revisited Nash’s crimes in tonight’s episode – shows the killer on a night out at a table quiz with workmates nearly 20 years ago.
Just hours later, the now-42-year-old would go on to murder Sylvia Sheils (59) and Mary Callanan (61) at their accommodation in Grangegorman.
He pleaded not guilty in court to the two murders.
RTÉ Prime Time also released a photograph of the late Sylvia Sheils, taken hours before she was murdered by Nash in her sheltered housing.
Cold case breakthrough
A dramatic breakthrough in the case, which led to Nash’s conviction, was made in 2009 using new DNA technology.
It was discovered that Nash’s black velvet jacket – which was kept by gardaí after he was arrested for the murder of his girlfriend’s sister and brother-in-law – had DNA from the Grangegorman scene on the sleeve.
The “spectacular breakthrough” came during a cold case review, and meant that Nash could be definitively linked to the crime.
Nash, who has already been serving a double life sentence in Arbour Hill Prison since 1998, was sentenced to life for the Grangegorman murders on Monday.
The sister of Sylvia Sheils, Stella Nolan, said outside the court:
Death – as hard and all as it is inevitably to deal with – is a natural event’ murder is not. It is the illegal unlawful taking of the life of another. It is the most fundamental crime in my view.
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I absolutely love all this stuff. I really enjoy winter solstice.
So these ancients weren’t great at the old art projects then? I do sympathise working with stone having no option to rub it out and start again. Was it like children crayoning on a wall. Obviously an amazing find though like pulling of the old wallpaper.
@Daftbit Jelly: I don’t think anyone is reading this article. Doesn’t anyone care about the circles and dots? I know global warming and all that but you have to appreciate the circles and dots. People have wasted their lives discovering this stuff. Have some compassion.
@Daftbit Jelly: I was thinking Dan Brown could get some miles out of this. Who doesn’t love Dan Brown raking over old stuff for airport book shelves. Sorry Dan I didn’t mean people’s choices are limited at airports or people have just lost the will to live. I mean who listens to the critics anyway especially when you are stuck in an airport hoping armageddon happens sooner rather than later. We still have choices thats the main thing.
@Daftbit Jelly: 17 dots on one of them yokes. I mean is that not just amazing?
@Daftbit Jelly: I was thinking moved on from Dan Brown the writer to the film. (Sorry Dan surplus at this point) I’m thinking Brendan Gleeson beating the sh8te out of Bishops and such. Is this a step too far you think? Now you won’t have seen this coming Conor mc whatever you know the fella who parades in his pants rants about the importance of circles and dots. Brendan shoots him with a Luger a souvenir from when Brendan defeated the third reich. What in God’s name is this all about says Brendan. Colin Farrell wouldn’t put up with this. Role credits. Fair play Brendan
Sorry Colin we couldn’t shovel you into this one.
I mean you are a fantastic actor.
have your say