Reward after death faked

Gardai are offering a "substantial" reward for help to track down an Irishman who faked his own death after the murder of a young art student.

The body of Emer O'Loughlin (23) was found in a burnt-out caravan in County Clare, on April 8, 2005.

John "Fozzy" Griffin (43), also known as John McDermott, went missing 10 days later. He was spotted going to Inis Mor in the Aran Islands, off the Galway coast, where his clothes were found on a cliff top.

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But it was believed this was an attempt by Griffin to fake his suicide. It is thought Griffin, from County Galway, may have traveled to Britain or continental Europe. He is on Interpol's most-wanted list.

A murder probe began after the body of Ms O'Loughlin, from Ennistymon, County Clare, was exhumed in 2010, this on the recommendation of a cold-case team.

The Galway-Mayo Institute of Technology student had been living for a number of years in Ballybornagh, where her body was found. Superintendent Pat Murray said gardai are very anxious to speak to Griffin.

 

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