Serial killers who killed and preyed in Galway may get parole

[Scáthach]

BY DECLAN VARLEY

A decision will be made before Christmas as to whether two Englishmen who went on a rampage of sex attacks and murders in the west in the 1970s can ever be released from their life sentences.

Englishmen John Shaw and Geoffrey Evans were jailed in 1978 after they abducted two women and raped and murdered them, and are currently being held in Arbour Hill prison in Dublin.

One of those murdered was Mayo woman Mary Duffy whose body was then disposed of in a Connemara lake.

They were caught by the vigilance of two gardaí in Salthill as they prepared to abduct a third woman, believed to be local whom they had identified and were monitoring.

They had come to Ireland in 1976 after fleeing British police who were seeking them in connection with three separate sex attacks there.

The Parole Board has sought to clarify a number of issues surrounding the cases of both men, and has sent queries to the police in the UK. Sources said a final decision would probably be made by the board before Christmas.

If the Parole Board recommends their early release, the final decision as to whether they will be freed, and when, rests with the Minister for Justice, Michael McDowell. However, he has said that he would have to be made aware of very compelling reasons for their release before he would consider such amove.

The pair were arrested in Galway in September 1976 and were taken into custody. However, one of the men escaped by jumping the wall at the side of the garda station, then in Eglinton Street. He ran down Daly’s Place in Woodquay before he was recaptured by a dozen gardai, handcuffed and brought back to the station.

Shaw and Evans decided to abduct, rape and kill a woman every week while in Ireland. They confessed the plan to gardaí after they were arrested. Both men, now in their late 50s, are originally from Lancashire. By the time they came to Ireland, both Shaw and Evans had spent over seven years of their lives in prison in England.

In August 1976, Ms Elizabeth Plunkett (23), a Dublin woman, was abducted by Shaw and Evans in Co Wicklow. She was raped, murdered, and her remains dumped in the sea. It was to be another 32 days before her body was found 65 miles away, on the Wexford coast.

The following month, they headed to the west and abducted Ms Mary Duffy (25), near Castlebar. Ms Duffy was making her way home after finishing work in a Castlebar coffee shop. She was small and defenceless and no match for their strength.

She was held captive for a number of days, and was raped before being murdered. After 26 hours she was finally smothered to death and her naked body was dropped into Lough Inagh in Connemara.

In February 1978, Shaw was sentenced to life for the murder of Ms Duffy. He also received 14 years for rape and two years for false imprisonment. In December of the same year, Evans was jailed for life for the murder of Ms Duffy. He was also jailed for 20 years for the rape of Ms Duffy and Ms Plunkett.

Evans now works in the kitchen of Arbour Hill where he mixes freely with other prisoners. Regarded as the brains of the murderous duo, he previously worked in the carpentry shop in Arbour Hill where he made lamps and other ornaments that he would sell to other prisoners.

Shaw is in charge of the video library at Arbour Hill prison where he has access to books and papers and has his own TV and video games.

Some time ago when Shaw was moved for a short time to Castlerea Prison, it is believed a second van was needed to transport all the belongings he had stored up over two decades in prison.



Parole board considers freeing serial killers

Conor Lally



Ireland's first known serial killers have applied to be released from prison after 28 years, The Irish Times has learned.

Englishmen John Shaw and Geoffrey Evans were jailed in 1978 after they abducted two women and raped and murdered them. They were caught by gardaí in Galway as they prepared to abduct a third woman.

Informed sources last night said the two were likely to be released long before they serve their sentences of life plus 16 years and life plus 20 years. Both have applied to the Parole Board in recent months for release. No decision has yet been made, but their applications have not been rejected and are being considered.

The Parole Board has sought to clarify a number of issues surrounding the cases of both men, and has sent queries to the police in the UK. Sources said a final decision would probably be made by the board before Christmas.

If the Parole Board recommends their early release, the final decision as to whether they will be freed, and when, rests with the Minister for Justice, Mr McDowell.

If their release is recommended they would remain within the prison system for some time, and would be prepared for their full release with periods of training, temporary release and a spell at an open prison such as Shelton Abbey, Co Wicklow.

Evans and Shaw came to Ireland in 1976 while on the run from police in the UK after they raped three girls there. They decided to abduct, rape and kill a woman every week while in Ireland. They confessed the plan to gardaí after they were arrested. Both men, now in their late 50s, are originally from Lancashire. In August 1976, Ms Elizabeth Plunkett (23), a Dublin woman, was abducted by Shaw and Evans in Co Wicklow. She was raped, murdered, and her remains dumped in the sea.

The following month, they abducted Ms Mary Duffy (25), near Castlebar. She was held captive for a number of days, and was raped before being murdered.

Her remains were recovered from a lake in Co Galway.

The men were arrested in Salthill, Galway, in September 1976. They later told gardaí that at the time of their arrest they had identified a woman who they intended to be their third victim.

In February 1978, Shaw was sentenced to life for the murder of Ms Duffy. He also received 14 years for rape and two years for false imprisonment. In December of the same year, Evans was jailed for life for the murder of Ms Duffy. He was also jailed for 20 years for the rape of Ms Duffy and Ms Plunkett.

Two years ago Shaw was transferred from Arbour Hill prison, Dublin, to Castlerea prison, Co Roscommon. His transfer to the low-security jail sparked speculation that his release might be imminent. However, this was dismissed.

At the time Ms Duffy's family said they feared both Shaw and Evans would be released. Speaking to The Irish Times in January of last year, Ms Duffy's brother, Mr Michael Duffy, said the family would fight the men's release.

"We understand life plus 14 years to mean that Shaw would not ever be released. After his appalling crimes, how can the authorities decide he is no threat to society?"

[Vitor]

typical from the anglo-saxons.

Is not what they did In Arthur lands?