GARDAÍ this Tuesday afternoon confirmed that two further arrests have been made in connection with investigations into the murder of Limerick man Lee Slattery.
This comes along with three arrests made yesterday (Monday).
Mr Slattery’s remains were found in a shallow grave in a wooded area at Delmege House estate, near Moyross, on May 31, 2010.
The 24-year-old, from Ballynanty Beg, Limerick, had been shot several times in his body and head.
His body was discovered by his father, Ray Slattery (who passed away in 2021), after he had received confidential information about the location.
This Monday, Gardaí said that three people were arrested as part of the murder probe, a man and a woman in their 30s, and a woman in her 50s.
The three suspects were being detained at Garda stations in the Southern Region under Section 50 of the Criminal Justice Act 2007, which allows Gardaí question them for up to 72 hours without charge.
This Tuesday afternoon, Gardaí confirmed that a further two arrests – of a man and a woman in their 30s – were made.
“The male was re-arrested pursuant to Section 51 of the Criminal Justice Act 2007. The female is detained under the provisions of Section 30 of the Offences Against the State Act 1939,” a Garda statement read.
“There are currently five prisoners in custody at Garda stations in the Southern Region in relation to this investigation.”
The detentions of the five suspects brought to 30 the number of arrests in connection with the murder.
“Gardaí continue to appeal to anyone with information to contact them at the incident room in Mayorstone Park Garda Station at 061 456 980, the Garda Confidential Line at 1800 666 111, or any Garda Station.”
After the body was located, a post mortem performed by now retired State Pathologist Professor Marie Cassidy found that Lee Slattery died after being shot in the head and body.
A semi-automatic pistol was found in follow up Garda searches. The gun was sent for ballistics testing to establish if it was the murder weapon.
Gardaí were working on the theory that Mr Slattery was murdered by associates of the once notorious McCarthy-Dundon criminal gang over an outstanding drug debt.
Most of the gang are serving lengthy jail sentences for murder and other serious crimes, however nobody has been charged in connection with Mr Slattery’s killing.
At the time, Garda Superintendent John Gilligan, of the Garda Press Office, now retired, said that “there are people out there with information and we’re anxious that those people come forward, in confidence, and speak to us”.
He said that Mr Slattery “was a father of one child, he is obviously going to be desperately missed by his family; this is an awful way to die, a desperate act, to be left in a shallow grave after being shot”.
“We’re determined that the ruthless criminals responsible for this will be brought to justice,” Supt Gilligan said.
