The family of Elizabeth Plunkett has written to the DPP, the Garda Commissioner and the Minister for Justice requesting a cold case review into her death and a renewed public appeal for evidence.

John Shaw and Geoffrey Evans confessed to abducting, raping and murdering both Ms Plunkett in Brittas Bay Co Wicklow, and Mary Duffy in Conamara, Co Galway, in 1976.

Originally both men were charged with murder, rape and false imprisonment of Ms Plunkett and Ms Duffy. However, when Shaw began a parole application nearly two years ago, it was revealed he had never been convicted for Ms Plunkett's murder despite previous reports.

It was also revealed to the Plunkett family that the State never held an inquest into the death of Ms Plunkett nor ever issued a death certificate in her name.

The Plunkett family are collaborating with the team at RTÉ Documentary On One on Stolen Sister, a six-part podcast series currently publishing to raise awareness around Ms Plunkett's case. This collaboration led to an inquest being held into Ms Plunkett's death earlier this year.

In January, a verdict of unlawful killing was returned at the inquest at Gorey courthouse. Coroner Dr Seán Nixon sitting gave the cause of death as asphyxia due to strangulation.

While Shaw was never convicted of crimes against Ms Plunkett, Evans was convicted of her rape and false imprisonment, but not murder.

As Shaw was never convicted of any charges relating to Ms Plunkett, her family said they are no longer considered victims of a crime under the 2019 Parole Act and are not entitled to take part in the parole process. Evans died in 2012.

In the Plunketts' letter, written on their behalf by solicitor James MacGuill SC, the family seeks to justify a cold case review. They outline a series of developments since the decision of the statutory Parole Board to no longer view them as victims of a crime.

These include the findings of the recent inquest, as well as the post-mortem report issued following Ms Plunkett's death that contained samples of potentially significant evidentiary value that the family believe should be submitted for modern forensic examination.

The letter also states that publicity was given to the case by RTÉ because it identified a significant public interest in establishing why Shaw was not prosecuted for such a serious crime.

In addition, the correspondence outlines that renewed interest in the case has already led to a new witness coming forward with information about the night Ms Plunkett was abducted.

A further incident that was reported to the authorities at the time is also mentioned in the letter. A young woman in Fethard, Co Tipperary, was allegedly chased by two men, who she later identified as Shaw and Evans, after watching a television report of their arrest.

The Plunkett family claim these matters warrant immediate investigation as they provide strong corroborative evidence of similar facts to Ms Plunkett's murder and Shaw’s statement of confession.

The decision to only prosecute Shaw for the murder of Ms Duffy has not yet been made clear to the Plunkett family.

Parole application

Shaw is serving a life sentence in Arbour Hill Prison for the murder of Ms Duffy in September 1976. According to information given to the Plunkett family by the Victim Liaison Office of the Irish Prison Service, Shaw’s most recent parole application has been refused. He will be eligible to apply for parole again in February of next year.

The Minister for Justice’s office told RTÉ: "The Parole Board, as provided for under the Parole Act 2019, was established on 31 July 2021. The 2019 Act placed the parole process on a statutory footing and established an independent, statutory Parole Board to decide on parole applications.

"The Parole Board makes its decisions to grant or refuse parole independently from the Minister for Justice."

RTÉ contacted the Parole Board and the Irish Prison Service for comment; both said they do not comment on individual cases.

In 2016, the Parole Board recommended that Shaw be given two days of temporary release a year under a prison escort. While the Minister for Justice at the time rejected this suggestion, that decision was later reversed in 2020.

Shaw's most recent escorted visit out of prison was granted just two weeks ago, in late May, when he was brought to Dún Laoghaire, Co Dublin, in the company of prison staff and later returned to custody.

Kathleen Nolan and Bernie Plunkett, sisters of Elizabeth Plunkett told RTÉ News: "We’re relieved that this individual, who confessed to abducting, raping and murdering our beloved Elizabeth has once again been refused parole.

"However, he has still not faced justice for what he did to our sister. This is why we're telling Elizabeth's story in the podcast series Stolen Sister, to bring wider public attention to our plight - and to seek for any new witnesses that might be able to help our case.

"We're calling on the DPP to tell us why this man never faced the courts for what he did to our Elizabeth. And we're asking gardaí to now re-examine his case so Elizabeth can finally get some justice."

If anyone has any information on John Shaw and Geoffrey Evans, the Plunkett family have asked that you contact the podcast makers through [email protected].

Source: RTE.ie