Mystery after ‘man thrown off cliffs’ as cops seal off house & arrest two
A MAJOR investigation is under way in Co Donegal following reports a man was thrown off a cliff.
The probe was launched on Sunday night after Gardai received information that a man had been battered before being thrown from rocks at Slieve League, Europe’s highest sea cliffs.
One theory being investigated is that the victim — said to be 67 — was attacked at a property in the Killybegs area after an argument.
Another theory is that he may have been beaten with a rock. A property in the Killybegs area was sealed off and being searched yesterday.
Detectives suspect that the victim may then have been driven to Slieve League and then thrown off the cliff top towards the sea.
Two suspects, a man and a woman, were arrested by Gardai after their car was involved in a crash.
We understand officers recovered blood and cleaning products from the car. The vehicle is now being examined by Garda technical experts.
The male driver was arrested on suspicion of drink-driving and resisting arrest while the woman was arrested on suspicion of assault.
The male suspect was also arrested on suspicion of assault after he was released on bail for the drink-driving charge. We also understand the suspected victim and arrested man are known to each other.
The pair have since been released without charge.
A Garda statement this evening said: “Gardaí in Ballyshannon continue to investigate an incident that occurred in the Slieve League / Killybegs area in County Donegal between Saturday, 24th June and Sunday, 25th June, 2023.
“The two people arrested in connection with this investigation were released without charge this evening.”
Gardai have closed off public access to Slieve League to facilitate the investigation.
After Garda confirmed a search was under way, one source said: “This is a very strange case and is being treated as an alleged assault at the moment.
“Information was received that a man had been violently assaulted in the Slieve League area.
“It’s possible the case could be upgraded if a body is recovered.”
The Irish Coast Guard, the Rescue 118 helicopter, the Donegal Mountain Rescue Team and Gardai are all involved in the search.
A house in the Killybegs area has also been sealed off since Monday.
Forensics officers are at the house and are carrying out a search of the property.
A key part of the investigation will be forensic evidence being taken from a car suspected of being central to the investigation.
Gardai have recovered forensic samples from the car which include blood.
WARRANT TO PROBE CAR
A warrant to examine the car was granted by Judge Brendan O’Reilly at Monday’s sitting of Letterkenny District Court.
Since then Gardai have been examining the car as they try to form a bigger picture of what exactly may have happened.
It is understood the car belongs to one of the two people who have been arrested.
The two people are a male aged in his 30s and a female aged in her 20s.
They are currently detained under Section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act, 1984 at local Garda stations in Co. Donegal.
The man is being detained at Letterkenny Garda Station while the woman is being held at Ballyshannon Garda Station.
The man’s period of detention has been extended after he complained of not feeling well and was taken to Letterkenny University Hospital to be examined.
Gardaí are appealing to any person who may have information in relation to the alleged assault incident to contact them.
Any road users who were travelling in the vicinity of Slieve League between Saturday evening, 24th June 2023 and Sunday evening, 25th June 2023, and who may have camera footage (including dash cam) is asked to make this available to investigating Gardaí.
Anyone with information is asked to contact Ballyshannon Garda Station on 071 985 8530, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111, or any Garda station.