It had been more than 24 years since I spoke to Martin Costello of Corofin, until I saw him again yesterday. The last time we spoke, was in the kitchen of his home where I documented the heartache he was feeling at the horrific killing of his sister Eileen Costello-O’Shaughnessy. I remember then, as a young reporter, seeing the impact that grief could have on a person.
Seeing Martin again yesterday, I could see that his grief had not dissipated one bit; that he still held the heartbreak of the events of 25 years ago today, this morning December 1, when the full horror of what was about to emerge, did so. The greatest fears realised, that Eileen, missing since the previous night would not be coming home.
Now, I can see the grief has passed on to another generation; Eileen’s children, her grandchildren, now fine young adults. How many days and events did they have that Granny was not there because of the evilness she encountered on that winter’s night 25 years ago this week.
Her killing was shocking, and came at a time when death by violence in the regions, and particularly in the west, was a lot more common than now. There was a period in the 90s when such deaths were more frequent. Remember too, this was the winter that Sophie Toscan du Plantier died through violence in West Cork.
But Eileen’s killing was a shocking moment in the history of this city; as was the killing of Manuela Riedo a decade later, or many of the other deaths through violence in this region.
I could see yesterday that her family have not found any closure from the passing of time. and they have appealed for our help to enable them do so. Sinead Mooney, Eileen’s niece, spoke beautifully and movingly at yesterday’s ceremony of the need for this.
For whatever reasons at the time, people who have information have withheld it, but maybe those reasons have disappeared. Maybe now, as they pass through life themselves and can see the benefit of honesty and empathy, they might be able to pass on that information so that the truth can emerge and that Eileen’s killer can be finally brought to justice.
The plaque erected through the work and efforts of her former colleagues, such as Francis Cherum and others, is located right at the foot of a treet at the first position in the taxi rank at Eyre Square. Each time you see it, please pause for a moment and think of Eileen, and of her family and in some way, send them some peace and comfort in their ongoing grief.
And if you have any information, just tell someone.
