Murder of Co Kildare pensioner now sees 'substantial cash reward' being offered for information
A 'substantial' reward is now being offered for information on the murder of a Newbridge man.
Two attacks during the early morning of October 4, 2009, on the home of Michael Crowe(81) and his wife Betty(71) are now being re-examined.
Inspector Mel Smyth, heading investigations, is now appealing for three men, reported to be seen on Sunday, October 4, 2009, at Páirc Mhuire, Newbridge, to come forward.
Sightings of these three men are reported by two separate people during Sunday, October 4. These men have never come forward to Gardaí. Superintendent Martin Walker, of Kildare Garda Division, confirmed that there is now a 'substantial cash' reward being offered. It is understood to be thousands of euros.
Inspector Smyth says that there seems to be no motive to target the pensioners and their son, in this ‘heinous crime.’
At about 2.15am on Sunday, October 4, a brick was thrown through the front porch window of the Crowe’s home, at 1646 Páirc Mhuire, Newbridge. Gardaí were alerted, details were taken, and after they left, the Crowe family returned to their beds. The pensioners resided there with their son, Thomas, who was in his mid-forties.
At 6am, on the same morning, Thomas Crowe awoke to a loud bang coming from the downstairs part of the house. He quickly discovered, to his horror, that the hallway and bottom of the stairs were on fire.
Thomas, assisted in particular by neighbours Robert Whyte, Trevor Pearse and Martin Meade, managed to get his mother out of the house through the top floor, front bedroom window.
They used a ladder that had been rushed to the house.
With his mother now being secure, Thomas was forced outwards, due to the intensity of the inferno, from the first floor bedroom window.
He fell into the grasp of a neighbour.
Tragically, his father Michael Crowe, was unable to escape from the fire and died from smoke inhalation. Thomas and Betty sustained injuries but recovered.
A murder investigation began with 700 statements taken. The entire investigation will now be completely reviewed.
Inspector Smyth said: “Eight years is after passing.This investigation will have a whole new set of eyes.”
Michael Crowe, a former Bord na Móna employee, was married to Betty (now deceased). They had two sons, Thomas and Seán.
Michael Crowe was a grandfather to his son Seán’s children. Séan did not reside with his parents and brother.
Thomas still resides at the same house in Páirc Mhuire and there has been no reported incident to Gardaí since that fateful night.
Inspector Smyth said: “They were a quiet family who lived a quiet life. There is no indication that anyone would have anything against them.”
After retiring from Bord na Móna, Michael Crowe began driving a bus for KARE in Newbridge, an organisation for people with special needs.
His neighbours recollect how he would be seen mowing the lawn in the estate.
Inspector Smyth said: “We appeal in particular to anyone who may have been in or around Páirc Mhuire estate on the early morning of Sunday, October 4, 2009, between 2am and 6am to contact us. We also appeal to anyone that may have any information at all as to the identity of the person or persons that carried out this attack, or who were acting suspiciously or out of the norm, in or around that time. We also appeal to anybody that knows of someone, or who has indicated that they have information on the identity of the culprits.”
Gardaí are giving assurances that all information will ‘be treated with the utmost confidentiality’, and for anyone with any information, ‘even if believed to be insignificant or trivial’, to contact Newbridge Garda Station on 045/ 440180 or the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666111 or Crimestoppers at 1800 250025.