The family of murder victim Rose Hanrahan has said it was down to the “impeccable” work of Limerick gardaí that her killer is now serving a life sentence.
Mrs Hanrahan’s niece, Avril Kenny, was speaking outside the Central Criminal Court on behalf of the family on Monday, after Romanian man Alexandru Iordache received the mandatory life sentence for his crime.
Iordache targeted Mrs Hanrahan in a supermarket, followed her and later strangled her in her home.
The father-of-two had “shoulder surfed” the 78-year-old widow while she paid for groceries in December 2017, the day after he had arrived in Ireland. Iordache left the country again a week later, but was tracked down through DNA he left behind.
The Romanian, with a previous address at Dreptatti Street, Bucharest, had pleaded guilty to her murder on or about December 14-15th, 2017, at New Road, Thomondgate, Limerick City.
Ms Kenny said that her aunt was a kind and generous woman, loved by all who knew her.
“It’s been an extremely difficult three and a half years for her family and friends, waiting for the person responsible for her death to be held accountable,” she said.
“Alexandru Iordache targeted a vulnerable, elderly widow, with no ability to defend herself. His sentencing today doesn’t give us any reprieve from the pain and sorrow he caused, but it is at least a relief to know that he will never be able to hurt anyone again,” she remarked.
“It is down to the impeccable work performed by the Limerick gardaí that Alexandru Iordache is now serving a life sentence,” said Ms Kenny. “The extensive work carried out by the investigating team ensured that no stone was left unturned and every aspect of this case was performed meticulously.”
'Grateful'
She said that the family was extremely grateful to all involved in the case for their dedication and expertise.
“This investigation was a team effort involving a large number of gardaí, and we are grateful to each and every one,” she said.
She offered particularly thanks to Chief Supt Derek Smart, Supt Dermot O’Connor, Insp Jimmy Ruddle, Det Enda Haugh and family liaison officer Garda Loretta Cregan.
“They demonstrated an immense amount of compassion, kindness and understanding throughout the investigation and legal proceedings,” she said. “They assured that we were constantly updated on developments. Their reassurance and support got us through many tough times with the confidence that this day would come. We will be forever grateful to them all.”
The family also thanked the prosecution team, including Senior Counsel Anne-Marie Lawlor and State solicitor Catherine Fanning.
“Finally, we would like to say how grateful we are to the community of Thomandgate and the wider Limerick community for their support throughout the investigation and in memory of Rosie,” she added. “Vigils have been organised and cards and messages received that have provided us with a lot of comfort. We will always find consolation in knowing that she continues to be remembered so fondly by so many.”
Massive investigation
Supt Dermot O’Connor also spoke outside the court after the sentencing.
“The tragic sequence of events, which unfolded in Thomandgate in Limerick in December 2017 has left a family traumatised and has left a community in shock,” he said.
Iordache had no ties to the community and Supt O’Connor said that today’s successful outcome had come about as a result of a massive Garda investigation.
“I would like to take this opportunity to thank the investigation team of Limerick Gardai for their professionalism and expertise and above all for their absolute determination to solve this crime and bring Rose Hanrahan’s killer to justice,” he said. “We would also like to thank the people in Limerick for their support and assistance throughout our investigation.”
He said that the investigation team had received tremendous support from various national Garda units, State agencies, Interpol and Europol, as well as mutual assistance from various police forces internationally. He thanked the police forces of Romania and the United Kingdom in particular.
“All played a crucial role in solving this crime,” he said.
“We hope that today’s result… helps bring some closure to the family of Rose Hanrahan, and also provides reassurance to the community in which she lived, a community in which she was so highly regarded and so dearly loved,” he concluded.
