Courts / Cork / Report

Scientist who preserved key evidence in cold case trial was holidaying just kilometres from where body was found

Date
2023-07-18

Stage
Trial

Primary locality
Cork

County
Cork

Summary

In the Central Criminal Court, Noel Long, aged 74, pleaded not guilty to the murder of 54‑year‑old Nora Sheehan, who disappeared between 6 and 12 June 1981. Sheehan's body was found six days later at The Viewing Point, Shippool Woods, Cork. Dr Timothy Creedon, a former forensic scientist, testified that he was on holiday in Inishannon, Co Cork, when the body was discovered. He later met a detective and received swabs from the body, including a vaginal swab that contained semen. Creedon created a microscopic slide from the swab, which was later archived. The slide's preservation became crucial when a 2008 review of cold cases examined the evidence with modern DNA techniques. The trial, presided over by Justice Paul McDermott, continues with a jury of seven men and four women. The case remains at the trial stage.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Scientist who preserved key evidence in cold case trial was holidaying just kilometres from where body was found. Charges or matters: murdering 54-year-old Nora Sheehan between June 6 and June 12, 1981 at an unknown place within the State. Procedural stage: trial

When:

June 6 Hearing Or Sentence
June 12, 1981 Hearing Or Sentence
June 1981 Other
June 14, 1981 Other
June 13 1981 Other
August 1981 Other
1977 until 1991 Other
2023-07-18 Publication

Why: In his opening address, Mr Grehan told the jury that Dr Creedon's action in preserving the slide turned out to be of great significance because in 2008, a serious crime review team in An Garda Síochána was set up and tasked with reviewing old unsolved cases – particularly murders – often termed "cold cases". CNI source report