A man in his seventies remains in custody at Kilkenny Garda Station where he is being questioned in connection with the murder of mother-of-two Marie Tierney over 35 years ago.
The arrest was made on Wednesday and the suspect is being held under section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act 1984.
It is understood that a key witness came forward in recent weeks leading to a significant breakthrough in the investigation.
Marie Tierney’s remains were exhumed and a post mortem took place last October involving DNA testing.
Marie's siblings Breda Fay and John Bourke were in Kilkenny yesterday and described the arrest as 'huge progress'.
"This is a step further that will continue until final justice for her. She deserved this, it's taken a very very long time - more than 35 years," her sister Breda said describing her sister as ‘the kindest, gentlest’.
Breda also spoke of the huge love that her sister Marie had for her children and said that there ‘is no justice good enough for her’.
Her brother, John said that he was ‘over the moon’ and appealed for anyone with any information to come forward.
“I am still pleading for witnesses to come forward. Any help that is out there for us, we would appreciate it big time at the moment.”
He also spoke of the devastating impact of Marie’s murder on his parents and said that they had ‘died wishing for justice’ and added that his mother had ‘locked herself away’ pining for her murdered daughter.
Gardaí have conducted an exhaustive investigation since 2017 including examining 500 lines of enquiry and taking over 200 witness statements.
It is understood that the suspect was known to Marie and is living in the Kilkenny area.
Gardaí have conducted an exhaustive investigation since 2017 including examining 500 lines of enquiry and taking over 200 witness statements.
It is understood that new technology has also been pivotal in progressing the investigation.
Marie Tierney’s remains were exhumed and a post mortem took place last October involving DNA testing.
