Family questions Garda investigation into daughter’s canal death

Relatives of a County Down woman discovered deceased in Monaghan in March have attributed their lingering questions about the circumstances of her death to what they perceive as multiple errors made by Garda (Irish police) investigators. Kelly Lynch, aged 23, was located in the Ulster Canal on St Patrick’s Day, 30 hours following the final confirmed observation of her. Her parents emphasized the police’s inability to secure CCTV footage promptly and informed BBC Spotlight that they are depending on a case review initiated by the Garda Commissioner in October. Gardaí stated that this review does not constitute a re-investigation but aims to ascertain if further avenues of inquiry exist. Ms Lynch, originally from Gilford, had journeyed to Monaghan to reside with her boyfriend at his family residence following the death of his brother. During the early hours of Saturday 16 March, she was returning home after an evening out with her boyfriend and his companions. The final verified sighting of Ms Lynch occurred outside a national school, approximately 400 yards from a bridge spanning the canal, where her body was discovered 30 hours subsequent to that sighting. Eight months later, Julieanne Lynch expressed that she continues to have inquiries regarding events both during the night out and as her daughter was heading back to her boyfriend’s home. She further stated, “There’s no clarification and there’s a lot of discrepancies. And I just find it so strange that, you know, eight months on, those answers still have not been given to us.” A central query in the investigation pertains to whether Ms Lynch proceeded alone from the national school in the direction of the bridge. Her father informed BBC Spotlight that CCTV footage from the vicinity, which could have provided an answer to this question, was not obtained with sufficient speed following her death. Sean Lynch commented, “Anybody knows the first 24 hours is crucial in any investigation. I keep saying with the CCTV, there was CCTV there – if it was got to on time it would definitively prove if Kelly walked on her own, she ran, or if she even went by at all.” The Spotlight inquiry has brought forth additional questions concerning the Garda investigation, specifically regarding the CCTV and whether the bridge was appropriately safeguarded as a potential crime scene. The Lynch family also expressed dissatisfaction with what they perceived as the impolite and unconcerned demeanor of a senior officer involved in the case. Upon the return of their daughter’s clothing, they inquired about minor red marks on her shoes, considering the possibility they were her bloodstains or those of another individual. Sean Lynch recounted: “When I asked the senior investigating officer about it he told me: ‘Sure if you think it’s blood why didn’t you get it tested yourself?’ And when I put it to them at the meeting, he said: ‘What I said was sure you’re entitled to get it tested yourself.’” He added, “Adding the word ‘entitled’ doesn’t make it any less hurtful.” A senior Garda official offered an apology to the Lynch family regarding the remark. Gardaí informed BBC News NI that they were aiding an inquest, collaborating with a Garda Ombudsman investigation, and carrying out a review of their initial investigation. They stated that due to these ongoing processes, they were unable to provide any elaborate public commentary. Furthermore, they acknowledged being aware of a considerable amount of inaccurate information concerning the case being disseminated on social media. The peer review of the case is being spearheaded by a senior investigating officer from outside Monaghan and its adjacent areas. The Lynch family has indicated that their daughter’s garments are being given back to them as part of this review. Sean Lynch stated that his family is currently placing their trust in the officer overseeing the review. He further remarked: “I’m hoping that this is a very experienced officer, a detective, that he will be able to look at it from his years of experience and see discrepancies. That’s all we’ve wanted from the very start.” Spotlight: Kelly – The Body Below the Bridge is accessible on BBC iPlayer and will be broadcast on BBC One Northern Ireland on Tuesday at 22.40. Copyright 2024 BBC. All rights reserved. The BBC bears no responsibility for the content found on external websites. Information regarding their approach to external linking is available.