Family of Roosky farmer ‘fully expect action’ following meeting with senior Garda

Family members of elderly Roosky farmer Liam Farrell, who was found dead almost five years ago at the back door of his home, say they “fully expect action” after a review of the original Garda investigation into the 87-year-old’s death is complete.

On Friday last, the senior investigating officer (SIO) appointed by Garda Commissioner Drew Harris to re-examine the original investigation, met with family members for the first time at his request.

The family of Liam Farrell believe their father was the subject of an assault before he suffered a heart attack.

An inquest into Mr Farrell’s death in September heard that he was discovered by family members at his home on January 13th, 2020. He was covered in blood with his shoes and socks removed, his watch broken and bruising to his left eye and his feet. The jury recorded an open verdict into his death.

Friday’s meeting with the SIO, Ballina based Superintendent Peter Conlon, and several senior Garda colleagues, took place at the Landmark Hotel in Carrick-on-Shannon and lasted an hour and 45 minutes.

One of Mr Farrell’s sons, Willie Farrell, who joined the meeting via Zoom from the US, said the SIO and his colleagues listened intently to the family’s questions and concerns.

“They will comprehensively look at every aspect of this investigation from day one. We raised a lot of information for their consideration for a new inquiry. They explained their position in that they are mandated by the Commissioner to do a peer review.

“So that in essence means they review the original investigation with a view towards possible new lines of inquiry as part of their review. So they were there to listen to us and we could put forward issues for consideration to them for new lines of inquiry,” he said.

Mr Farrell explained that the SIO and his colleagues wish to further correspond with the family on certain items they raised during the meeting.

“So we will be giving them more information through e-mail and then basically the SIO said he will be in contact with us as he needs to.” The Farrell family were given an indication that the peer review could be completed by the end of January.

“Once they’re done with the peer review, it then has to be sent to the Commissioner’s Office in Dublin. We have been told that after the review is complete, the Commissioner will meet the family privately and explain to us what actions are going to be taken. We fully expect actions after this,” said Mr Farrell.

After Friday’s meeting in Carrick-on-Shannon, Supt Conlon carried out a methodical visit of the late Liam Farrell’s farm with members of the family.

“He listened, he came down, he looked at the farm, he looked at everything. He didn’t give us any sense that he wanted this thing to be hurried up. It’s great - it’s giving you a sense that you’re having a voice and nobody’s rushing you,” said Mr Farrell.

The Farrell family are also awaiting the results of garda forensic tests following the discovery of blood in a hayshed on Mr. Farrell’s property in September. The blood had been initially discovered by a private forensic company hired by the family.