Lithuanians murdered in Northern Ireland

  • 2002-05-23
  • Simon Walsh, NEWRY
Warrenpoint, close to the border with the Republic of Ireland, and scene of the infamous slaying of a patrol of British paratroopers in a terrorist ambush during the 1970s, became the arena for fresh horrors this week.

On May 15 the hideously mutilated corpses of two Lithuanian migrant workers, naked from the waste down and lying on top of each other, were found in deep undergrowth off Mound Road, close to a golf course. They had been bludgeoned to death and their throats slit.

One of the bodies had on a zip-up green, red and blue cardigan and was wearing a gold earring in his left ear. The absence of blood at the site strongly suggested, given the severity of the injuries, that the two had been killed at another location before being moved to the spot where they were found.

They are thought to have belonged to a group of Lithuanians who had been working on mushroom farms in the region, and had been in Newry since December 2001.

After being questioned by detectives, one mushroom farmer, who asked not to be named, told reporters: "They did odd jobs for us now and again. We didn't even know their names. They fell out among themselves. It is a horrific outcome."

A member of the police service of Northern Ireland commented, "To me this looks like a crime of great passion or great hatred."

But the possibility of a homosexual element to the crime was ruled out, along with paramilitary activity and the involvement of the deceased in a cigarette smuggling racket.

Assistance in identifying the victims was requested from both Interpol and the Irish Republic's police. Northern Ireland police detectives were dispatched to the Lithuanian Embassy in London for urgent consultations.

Investigations have so far targeted a house on Sandys Street in the town of Newry, 5 kilometers from where the bodies were found, and a silver-gray Mazda 626 hatchback car with left-hand drive bearing continental European number plates. Both have been subject to forensic examination.

Detectives said they were anxious to speak with anyone who may have known anything about the vehicle's movements in the Newry area between the night of May 12 and noon May 15.

Four Lithuanians are said to have resided at the Sandys Street house, with others are occupying accommodation close by. It has since emerged that a party was held there on May 12, the night the two victims were last seen alive.

Police spokesman Morris McClelland said: "There was a party we believe was held on the Sunday night. We're looking at that and trying to ascertain the identity of all those involved at the party."

Two Lithuanians were arrested at the house in the early morning of May 17. A third was arrested that evening but released without charge the following day. Police later applied for and were granted a further 36-hour extension in which to hold and question the remaining two.

By May 21, the two were ruled out as suspects but found to be illegal immigrants and handed over to the immigration authorities.

The investigation continued as The Baltic Times went to press. Police say they are confident of establishing the identities of the deceased. The Northern Ireland police are investing considerable effort in this investigation. While the exact number of detectives assigned is unconfirmed, it is believed to be in double figures.