Gardaí renew appeal for information on anniversary of 26-year-old's murder

Gardaí are renewing an appeal for information about the murder of a 26-year-old man nine years ago. 

The appeal comes in the lead-up to the 9th anniversary of Owen Maughan's death on Sunday December 18, 2013. 

Mr Maughan was fatally wounded when he was shot at a service station on the Moneen Road, Castlebar, Co.Mayo at 3.30pm on the afternoon of Wednesday December 18, 2013. 

Owen and his wife Anne - who were married for eight years and had a very close relationship - lived locally and headed into town to run a few errands early on the morning of December 18. 
 
Later that afternoon they went home and Anne prepared lunch while Owen left to go to a nearby service station to fill up some water canisters.
 
At the station, a number of shots were fired from a car described as a BMW Estate which was reportedly graphite grey in colour. 
 
Gardaí know that the BMW Estate car was stolen from a hotel near Dublin Airport on December 6, 2013.

They believe this vehicle was in the Dublin area for some time after this and would have refuelled a number of times.
 
The registration of the car was 06G3981, however the car was fitted with cloned registration plates (09D30024). 
 
Following the shooting on December 18, this car travelled out the Claremorris road and was discovered destroyed by fire two days later at Derryvohey in Mayo. 
 
Despite extensive Garda enquiries, no arrests have been made in relation to this investigation.
 
Nine years on, Gardaí and Owens’ family are appealing for people to come forward to assist with the investigation.
 
Gardaí would encourage anyone with information, no matter how insignificant it may seem, to come forward. 
 
Persons with information can contact Castlebar Garda Station on 094-9038200, the Garda Confidential Line 1800-666-111 or any Garda Station.