Gardaí in Galway say the investigation into the death of taxi driver Eileen Costello O'Shaughnessy a decade ago is still very much "live".
Supt Tom Curley of Mill Street Garda station confirmed this as a memorial stone in memory of Ms Costello O'Shaughnessy was unveiled in Eyre Square.
The stone, by artist Pat Bracken, was commissioned by city taxi drivers who had worked with Ms Costello O'Shaughnessy. At the ceremony, which followed a memorial Mass, Supt Curley said he had reviewed the unsolved case fully in conjunction with the National Bureau of Criminal Investigations.
"Under no circumstances is this matter closed," said Supt Curley. "Even after 10 years, we believe and have always believed that there are people with information that would help us to solve it," he told journalists.
The taxi driver's family is due to meet representatives of the Garda's new cold case team shortly to discuss the investigation.
Ms Costello O'Shaughnessy, from Corofin, Co Galway, died between November 30th and December 1st, 1997, having been last seen on the night of November 30th while on duty.
The alarm was raised when she failed to respond to calls. Her body was found at Tinker's Lane off the N17 Galway-Tuam road, eight miles north of the city on the morning of December 1st. She had been beaten, but no weapon was found. Her car was discovered abandoned on the city outskirts, some miles from the crime.
Mayor of Galway Tom Costello (Lab) said yesterday her death had been "murder most foul". He understood that she had been a person who was loved by family, friends and many people who knew her in the city. Yesterday's memorial was attended by her husband, Tom, son Damian, daughter Susan, her brother, Martin Costello, and extended family members.
The Garda's cold case team is reviewing up to 200 unsolved crimes. Ms Costello O'Shaughnessy's son Damian said he realised they were dealing with one or two cases at a time and they would have to be patient. His sister, Susan, who laid flowers at the memorial stone, paid tribute to the Garda for the extensive work and effort they had put into the case.
"It's 10 years now and every year it doesn't change. We haven't got any answers and we can't really lay her to rest," she said.
She appealed to anyone with information to come forward.
