Justice Minister calls Liam Farrell’s death 'suspicious' as family push for fresh investigation

Justice Minister Jim O’Callaghan has described the death of Leitrim farmer Liam Farrell as “suspicious” — a significant breakthrough for the Farrell family, who met with him at the Department of Justice on Thursday, October 8, 2025, as part of their ongoing five-year campaign for answers.

During the meeting, Minister O’Callaghan pledged to raise the case directly with Garda Commissioner Justin Kelly in the coming days and acknowledged that, based on photographs of Mr Farrell’s injuries, they “certainly appeared suspicious.”

The 87-year-old was found dead outside his home in Rooskey on 13 January 2020, his body bruised and bloodied, his shoes and socks removed, and his watch broken. Despite these circumstances, no one has ever been charged, and the investigation has stalled.

Peter Farrell, who has travelled from Texas 16 times since 2021 — including five trips this year alone — to push for answers in his father’s case, said the family now hopes for a fresh review by an external Garda team.

“Our position is clear, there needs to be an outside agency, or a new Cold Case Review Team from Dublin. The original investigation lost all credibility when they suggested that a dog could even possibly be responsible," he said.

The family has submitted a 44-page report, including 23 exhibits and 281 pages of statements and affidavits, to Commissioner Kelly. “When he looks at this, I hope he realises we need to change direction. The photographs alone show the weight of evidence is overwhelming,” Peter Farrell said.

He also revealed that key items of evidence went missing in the first 48 hours of the original investigation — and that a bucket found at the scene containing blood remains at the family home almost six years later. “I asked the Minister if he knew where the bucket of blood was. He said he didn’t. I told him it’s still at my father’s house. I think he was stunned — there was silence.”

Farrell said the family has not ruled out seeking a private exhumation and forensic examination if the State does not act. “That’s not our preferred option,” he said, “but it’s one we will consider. If the State doesn’t do its job, we will go down the legal channels ourselves.”

He added that the newly appointed Garda Commissioner “wasn’t involved when this happened” and will hopefully look at the case with fresh eyes.

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