Gardai offer cash reward for unsolved Tallaght murder
GARDAÍ are offering a cash reward in return for information that could help them trace the killers of a father of five who was stabbed to death at his girlfriend’s home on the Southside three years ago.
Michael Gallagher (60) was stabbed to death in a knife attack, while his partner Sally Rodgers was assaulted by a second man with a hammer.
The frenzied assault took place in the kitchen of the house at Tymonville Road shortly after 10pm on January 18, 2007.
A painter and decorator with no apparent connections to crime, Gallagher was watching television in the home of his partner when two men called to the front door.
When Ms Rogers opened the door she was pushed aside by the two men. One of them had a knife and the other was carrying a hammer.
The two men rushed at Gallagher, chasing him into the kitchen where they stabbed him repeatedly. They then fled the scene. They were seen on the roadway near the house shortly after the incident but were never traced.
Mr Gallagher, who was a native of Mohill, Co Leitrim, was struck several times in the chest and also sustained stab wounds to several other parts of his body.
One of the blows struck him in the heart. He later died from his wounds at nearby Tallaght Hospital.
Gardaí say they can think of no reason why Gallagher was targeted, and believe that the murder could possibly have been a case of mistaken identity.
Launching a renewed appeal for information on the case on the anniversary of Mr Gallagher’s death last week, Detective Inspector Pat Lordon of Tallaght station said: “We are very anxious to speak to anyone who may know the two men seen on the road near Michael’s house or who was aware of suspicious activity in the area on January 18, 2007.
“If you have any information that may assist in our investigation please call Crimestoppers free on 1800250025. Your call will be dealt with in the strictest of confidence, you don’t need to leave your name or your address and you may receive a cash reward for information which significantly helps our enquiries.”
The Crimestoppers concept is simple – the call is free, there is no need to give one’s name, the phone is answered by specially trained gardaí, and a cash reward of up to e10,000 may be paid in certain cases. Rewards are given at the discretion of the gardai.