GARDAÍ have released without charge five people arrested earlier this week in connection with the murder of Limerick father-of-one, Lee Slattery, who was shot dead on the outskirts of the city 14 years ago.
Gardaí had been questioning two men and a woman, arrested last Sunday and Tuesday, “as part of the ongoing investigation into the murder of Lee Slattery”.
Two other men arrested last Monday, as part of the murder probe, were also released from Garda custody without charge.
Gardaí said the “investigation is ongoing” and they appealed “to anyone with information to contact them at the incident room in Mayorstone Garda Station at 061 456 980, the Garda Confidential Line at 1800 666 111, or any Garda Station”.
Mr Slattery (24) of Ballynanty Beg, Limerick, was shot in the head and body and buried in a makeshift grave at a wooded area on the Delmege House estate, located near Moyross, Limerick, on May 31, 2010.
His body was discovered by his late father, Ray Slattery, who passed away in 2021.
Members of the Slattery family had been given information as to the whereabouts of Lee’s body a number of days after they reported him missing. They went to search the wood, located off the Knockalisheen Road, and found the body.
A post mortem performed by retired State Pathologist Professor Marie Cassidy found that Lee Slattery died after being shot in the head and body.
A semi-automatic pistol was found in follow up Garda searches. The gun was sent to Garda Headquarters for ballistics testing to try to establish if it was the murder weapon.
Gardaí were working on the theory that Lee Slattery was murdered by associates of the McCarthy-Dundon criminal gang over an outstanding drug debt.
At the time, Garda Superintendent John Gilligan, Garda Press Office, now retired, said: “There are people out there with information and we’re anxious that those people come forward, in confidence, and speak to us.”
“He was a father of one child, he is obviously going to be desperately missed by his family; this is an awful way to die, a desperate act, to be left in a shallow grave after being shot. We’re determined that the ruthless criminals responsible for this will be brought to justice,” added Supt Gilligan.
A total of 23 people have been arrested and questioned in relation to the murder.
