Connaught Telegraph - County Mayo

Some articles from the Connaught Telegraph from 1996 to 1999

Visit the Connaught Telegraph website for up-to-date news from County Mayo.

 

EXHUMATION RUMOURS DENIED BUT ................

 

Gardai are investigating alleged 'doping' of several elderly women in the North Mayo area16 December 1998

 

 

Gardai confirm probe into "drugging" allegations

By TOM SHIEL

GARDAI have confirmed they are investigating reports that a number of elderly women living alone in the north Mayo area were given a potion to drink by a man visiting their homes which rendered them unconscious.

Inspector Michael Hussey of Ballina Garda Station verified yesterday (Tuesday) that Garda investigations into the alleged 'doping' of several women in the Bonniconlon area were continuing and a file would be prepared for the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) on the matter.

The senior Garda officer, however, dismissed as "rumours" suggestions that the bodies of two men from the Bonniconlon district, who died suddenly in 1994 and 1996, would be exhumed so that autopsies could be carried out.

NEIGHBOURS

The men were neighbours. At the time of the deaths, verdicts were returned in both cases that they died from natural causes in accordance with the medical evidence.

Despite the Gardai's denial that any exhumations are planned, it is understood that the files into the sudden deaths have been re-opened.

It is understood that at this stage relatives of the dead men are unwilling or perhaps think it unnecessary that the graves should be re-opened for a re-examination of the remains.

A wave of rumours have been sweeping the north Mayo area since the arrest recently of a man on rape charges.

The suspect was arrested after a man who got into her home on the pretext that he was wet and wanted to dry clothes.

QUESTIONING

The woman managed to raise the alarm after she had been attacked by ringing Gardai and the suspect, who has been remanded and is due in court again next year, was taken in for questioning.

The man had no criminal record but a search of property revealed items which suggested he had some kind of sexual fetish.

Since the detention, Gardai have been carrying out intensive enquiries. Complaints by a number of women living in the Bonniconlon area that they were "knocked out"by a liquid which a male visitor offered them to drink are being stringently investigated.

Inspector Hussey told the Connaught Telegraph yesterday (Tuesday): "There are a lot of rumours around but I can confirm that we are investigating reports that a number of women living alone had something put in their drinks by a male visitor.

"Our investigations are ongoing and we will be preparing material for the DPP on the matter".

Connaught Telegraph - News & Sport - December 1998