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23 Oct 2025
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23 Oct 2025
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Retired Longford superintendent Matthew Thorne played a key role in the prosecution of the State's oldest murder conviction
The conviction of a defendant following the oldest murder prosecution in Irish history came thanks to the witness testimony of a Longford man.
Retired Superintendent Matthew Thorne (91) gave evidence of stopping the accused man Noel Long (74) driving a blue Opel Kadett on the Curraheen Road in Bishopstown in Cork on the morning of June 16, 1981.
Long was found guilty of murdering Nora Sheehan 42 years ago. Following the verdict the family of the victim paid tribute to a number of people amongst them, Superintendent Matthew Thorne.
Matthew is a native of Longford town, where the family lived in Dublin Street. His brother, Frank Thorne, is also a retired Garda.
A daughter of the murder victim Katie Sheehan said: “The Sheehan family wish to remember the late Dr Coakley, the pathologist. We would like to thank all the retired gardaí in particular Superintendent Matthew Thorne.”
The Thorne family has a history of long service to the Force. Their late dad also served in the Force based in Longford.
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