Gardai in Galway investigating the murder of 17-year-old Connemara schoolgirl, Siobhan Hynes, have narrowed down the time during which she disappeared 16 days ago in Carraroe.
Supt Jim Sugrue, who is leading the investigation, said yesterday that the crucial time had been narrowed down to a half-hour between 12.30 a.m. and 1 a.m. early on that Sunday. Siobhan's body was found washed up on Tismeain strand, two miles from Carraroe village, on Sunday afternoon, December 6th. The investigation involves about 50 gardai.
"It is a slow process, but we are gathering information, and people have been very helpful," Supt Sugrue said yesterday.
It is believed the teenager, who was from Leitir Moir and was out in Carraroe that Saturday night with friends, may have been offered a lift in a car while she was walking from Ostan an Doilin towards the Realt na Maidne pub in Carraroe village.
It is believed she may have known the driver of the car.
Gardai are convinced that there may be more witnesses who may have seen something they did not regard as important at the time.
The investigation has found crucial material, including items of jewellery that Siobhan was wearing on the night she died, and her fleece jacket. Her watch was discovered close to where her body was found. Gardai have ruled out the possibility of DNA analysis to trace the girl's killer as there is little evidence to test against, given that her body was washed ashore.
The incident room will remain open during the Christmas period, at (091) 595565, and information can also be given to any Garda station.
