Garda cold case team to review investigation into death of Leitrim farmer Liam Farrell

The Garda Commissioner has asked the Serious Crime Review Team (SCRT) to examine the investigation into the death of Leitrim farmer Liam Farrell, according to a letter sent to the family.

In the correspondence dated October 21, Commissioner Justin Kelly said the Detective Chief Superintendent with responsibility for the SCRT “will consider the concerns you have raised and will make contact with you in the coming weeks to advise you of the plan for the review.”

After receiving the Commissioner’s letter, Peter Farrell said the family “welcomes the move” and is “cautiously optimistic” about the process.

“We expect to hear from the Cold Case Review Team in the coming weeks,” he said, noting the family recently submitted a 44-page dossier to the Minister for Justice and to the Commissioner outlining what they believe is overwhelming evidence of third-party involvement.

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While the SCRT review is not, at this stage, described as a brand-new investigation, it will apply modern review methodology to the original inquiry and identify new investigative opportunities. The unit—colloquially known as the Garda Cold Case Unit—sits within the National Bureau of Criminal Investigation and reviews unresolved historical and current major crimes with the aim of surfacing new lines of inquiry.

The Farrell family said they look forward to engaging with the review team and to having key questions addressed about the conduct and scope of the original investigation.

“We’re not calling this ‘good news’—there’s no happiness in any of this—but we do see it as a necessary step toward the truth,” Peter Farrell said.

Ciaran Mullooly MEP, has welcomed the announcement that the Garda Commissioner has requested the Serious Crime Review Team to review the investigation into the death of Liam Farrell in Rooskey, County Leitrim.

"This development represents an important step forward after years of concerns about the way in which Mr Farrell’s case was originally handled." Mullooly said.

Mr Farrell was found dead in suspicious circumstances at his home in January 2020, five years ago, and since then questions have persisted about the investigation process, the forensic approach at the scene, and the decisions that followed.

The recent letter from the Garda Commissioner confirms that the Detective Chief Superintendent in charge of the Serious Crime Review Team will consider all concerns raised and will make contact with the Farrell family about the future direction of the review.

MEP Mullooly added: “Anyone who was shown the mortuary photos of the late Liam Farrell by his family would welcome this decision. I congratulate Brendan and Willie and the family on their dogged determination and respect for their late father. I now believe this cold case team with better resources will conduct a proper inquiry.”

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