GARDAÍ are investigating whether the killing of man in Co Monaghan is connected to a conviction for a sexual offence.
The dead man was named as Christopher Mooney (60), from Knockreagh Road in the Broomfield area.
A 37-year-old man suspected of being connected to the death was also killed a short time later after he was knocked down by a car close to the border.
He was named Kieran Hamill, a father-of-two from Concession Road in Co Armagh.
It is understood that Mr Mooney was stabbed to death in his home at around 6.30am on Thursday. Mr Hamill is suspected of being in the house at the time of the killing. He was found dead a short distance away after being hit by a car as made his way on foot towards the village of Cullaville, just across the border.
A strong line of inquiry is that he killed the 60-year-old and then fled the scene. It is also understood that gardaí are investigating whether a past criminal conviction for a sexual offence may have been a factor. Mr Mooney was convicted in 2003 on several charges of sexual assault of a male minor and served five years in prison.
Mr Hamill was himself facing charges, including physically assaulting a woman on St Stephen's Day last year.
Several news outlets reported the suspect was heard to say “he (Mooney) had that coming” before fleeing. This was reported to gardai by a relative who arrived at Mr Mooney's home just before 6.30am.
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Mr Hamill was struck by a southern bound car near the Ballynacarry Bridge, which crosses the Fane River and links the N53 and Concession Road. It is less than two miles from Mr Mooney's home at Knockreagh Lower.
Mr Hamill was facing a number of charges at the time of his death, The Irish News has confirmed. He is alleged to have committed a public order offence of affray in Castleblayney in May of this year. He was due in court in two weeks. He was also charged with threatening to damage a woman’s property and assaulting her at an address in Dundalk on St Stephen’s Day 2021. The next hearing was in February.
It is understood Mooney had been the target of a vigilante-type attack several years ago linked to his previous offending.
Post mortems on the bodies were carried out yesterday. A forensic examination of the house was also continuing.
Aidan Campbell, Fine Gael councillor for Carrickmacross-Castleblayney municipal district, told the Irish Independent: "There’s a sense of numbness and devastation.
“There’s a heartfelt sympathy with two families who are bereaved, and sympathy to whoever was driving the car and also to those from the blue lights who attended the scene. There’s a lot of numbness here. My sympathies go to both families."
Gardai are appealing for those on the N53 - Castleblayney to Dundalk Road who may have camera footage (including dash-cam) to make it available.
