Anniversary of woman's murder marked with vigil

FAMILY AND friends of murdered woman Irene White have held a vigil in her memory on the seventh anniversary of her killing.

FAMILY AND friends of murdered woman Irene White have held a vigil in her memory on the seventh anniversary of her killing.

Irene White (43), a mother of three, was found lying in a pool of blood in her kitchen with multiple stab wounds. Her mother Maureen discovered her body seven years ago yesterday. She died a few months later on what would have been Irene’s birthday.

Gardaí made arrests but no one has been prosecuted for the murder. Yesterday’s vigil was held in a park beside the family home in Dundalk, Co Louth. The 50 or so people gathered also recalled other women who died violently.

The event was organised by Ms White’s sister, Anne Delcassian, who renewed her appeal for those with information on the murder to come forward.

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“These people are still hiding information, which I find inconceivable,” she said. “I know there is pressure on people, but seven years down the line, I believe they should come out. Why should they lie for somebody else? All I ask of you is to come forward now.”

The murder is one of the “cold cases” with the Garda’s serious crime review team. Garda Supt Gerry Curley said: “The investigation is very much live and active.”

Ms Delcassian also launched her support for a campaign by the European Alliance Justice For Families, which wants to develop family justice centres across Europe and changes in legislation.

Margaret Martin, director of Women’s Aid, said that since 1996, the group had collected data on the number of women killed, which was now 174. The helpline for Women’s Aid is 1800-341 900.