Labour Leader Says Elizabeth Plunkett's Family Deserve Justice

It follows the disclosure of new information in RTE’s podcast series ‘Stolen Sister’

Ivana Bacik is calling on the Taoiseach and Justice Minister to support a Cold Case review into the murder of Elizabeth Plunkett.

Elizabeth Plunkett was the first victim of Ireland’s first serial killers, John Shaw and Geoffrey Evans. The pair  confessed to abducting, raping and murdering Elizabeth in Brittas Bay, Co Wicklow in 1976.

Her sisters have been chasing the issue for years.  Ivana Bacik raised the case in the Dáil on Wednesday June 18th saying:

“Elizabeth’s sisters Kathleen and Bernadette have been chasing the issue for years, but a recent letter they sent to the Minister for Justice has to date gone unanswered.

“There is a need to address an anomaly in our justice system, whereby some families are deprived of their victimhood status, as is the case for Elizabeth’s family.

“Evans died in prison; but Shaw remains in prison, having been convicted of mudering another victim, Mary Duffy. However, he was never convicted of Elizabeth’s murder.

“Due to this anomaly, Elizabeth Plunkett’s family are not legally regarded as victims within the Parole Board process – this glaring issue must be addressed.

Deputy Bacik is urging the Government to engage with Elizabeth Plunkett’s family, so they may get the justice and closure.