THE FAMILY of bookmaker Dessie Fox, who was robbed and shot in an ambush 20 years ago and left to bleed to death on a roadside, has issued an appeal for new information that might help gardaí catch his killers.
Speaking on the anniversary of the murder of her father, Lorna Fox O’Mahony said the murder in Co Kildare on September 30th, 1990, had robbed a popular man and loving father of his life and shattered his wife and three young daughters, aged 19, 15 and 7 years at the time.
“My life with my dad ended shortly after my 15th birthday, but even as a teenager I could see the respect, admiration and affection that people had for him,” she said at a press conference at Garda Headquarters, Phoenix Park, Dublin.
“He never had the chance to raise his family, grow older and enjoy retirement with my mum. I just loved being with him.”
Ms Fox O’Mahony urged anyone with information on her father’s murder to contact gardaí.
“It’s not too late to help,” she said of potential witnesses.
Mr Fox (47) was driving from his home in Dungannon, Co Tyrone, to the Curragh racecourse in Co Kildare, to work as an on-course bookie when he was attacked.
His white Mercedes was forced to a halt by two other vehicles at Healy’s Bridge, Prosperous, Co Kildare, just after 1pm. At least two of the gang were armed. One of the masked raiders had a shotgun and the other a revolver.
Both of the weapons were fired during the attack. Mr Fox was shot in the leg and the £20,000 he was carrying was robbed. He was left on the side of the road by the raiders and, because his artery had been severed by the gunshot, he bled to death.
Det Insp Ashley O’Sullivan, who is leading the murder investigation from Naas Garda station, said the case was now being reviewed by the Garda’s cold case team.
While more than 1,500 people were interviewed at the time, in excess of 50 statements taken, and 17 people arrested, nobody has ever been charged. All of the evidence and statements gathered in 1990 are being reviewed and witnesses reinterviewed.
Det Insp O’Sullivan said the raiders used two cars on the day. One was a red Toyota Carina.The second vehicle was a grey Mitsubishi Gallant with an 88 or 87 D registration.
Det Insp O’Sullivan said people with information who felt they could not contact gardaí immediately after the killing may have “changed circumstances” that allows them come forward now.
Anybody with information is urged to contact Crimestoppers on 1800 25 00 25. A reward of up to €10,000 has been offered for information that would lead to a conviction.