Gardai arrest man in his 60s in connection with double murder in Drogheda

Gardaí in Drogheda investigating a double murder at the Rossnaree Hotel in Drogheda 30 years ago have this morning arrested a male in his 60s in connection with this investigation. The man was arrested in the Dublin area. He is currently detained at Drogheda Garda Station under the provisions of Section 30 – Offences Against the State Act 1939.

Thomas “Ta” Power and John O’Reilly were shot dead on Tuesday 20th January 1987. Thomas, John and two other men arrived at the Rosnaree Hotel at approximately 4.30pm. They were travelling a maroon coloured Ford Capri saloon car. They entered the bar area of the hotel and ordered sandwiches and bottles of orange.

At approximately 5.15pm three men drove into the car park of the hotel in brown Toyota Cressida. Two of the men entered the hotel, one of the men looked into the dining room but it was closed. The two men approached the bar, they pulled nylon stockings over their faces and entered the bar. Once inside they produced firearms and began firing in the direction of Thomas and the three men. A number of shots were fired.  The two gunmen fled from the hotel to the awaiting Toyota.

John O’Reilly was pronounced dead, Thomas was taken to hospital and was pronounced dead a short time later. The other two men were seriously injured.

The Toyota Cressida was recovered burnt out at a wooded area in Summerhill, Co. Meath the following evening at 9.30pm, a distance of thirty one miles away.