Family still seeking answers on 40th anniversary of Fr Niall Molloy’s death

The family of Fr Niall Molloy are still hopeful that the truth can come out about how their uncle died under suspicious circumstances 40 years ago.

An anniversary Mass for Fr Niall, and his nephew Fr Billy Molloy, will take place on July 20th in Castlecoote.

The family have campaigned for decades for justice for Fr Niall, who was a curate in Castlecoote at the time of his death at Kilcoursey House in Clara, County Offaly in July 1985.

A two part documentary, ‘The Killing of Father Niall Molloy’, came out in September 2021 and led to renewed widespread publicity about the case.

His nephew Bill Maher told the Herald that the death needed to be re-investigated.

“It’s hard to believe it is 40 years on Tuesday (July 8th),” he said. Citing other historic cases, Mr Maher hoped that someone with information would come forward.

“There is not a whole lot more we can do, we were very pleased with the documentary and book by Maresa Fagan and Sharon Lawless. They did great work,” he said.

He added that his cousin Henry McCourt has written to the current Minister for Justice Jim O’Callaghan, but no response has been received. 

He also expressed disappointment at the handling of the case by former Minister for Justice Helen McEntee.

“It’s the same old same old from a whole string of ministers over the years. It is very frustrating, it takes a lot out of you,” he said.

“I have spoken to every major politician and political party in the country, including showing them the photograph of Niall’s body. They all ‘tut tut’ and say ‘it’s terrible’. After the documentary, they contacted me to say ‘it’s shocking’ and then it all dies down.” 

“The Gardaí in Tullamore have been very helpful but still nothing has come of anything,” he said. “There were a load of people there that night. Someone must know something.”