'I didn't recognise the person as my dad,' RTÉ Crimecall appeal over Leitrim man's death

A renewed appeal for information in relation to the death of Leitrim farmer Liam Farrell was broadcast on RTÉ Crimecall on March 30 as part of a garda investigation that continues six years after his family first began seeking answers.

The case of the 87-year-old, who died in 2020, was highlighted on Crimecall on RTÉ One on Monday night last. 

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Mr Farrell was discovered by family members at the rear of his home in the village of Rooskey on January 12, 2020, with visible injuries. 

While a post-mortem examination at the time determined the cause of death to be a heart attack, his family have consistently raised concerns about the circumstances surrounding his passing.

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Speaking on RTÉ's Crimecall on Monday night, Liam's son, Brendan Farrell, said his loved ones are still searching for answers six years later.

"Daddy was taken away from us, it's as simple as that... It's a massive, huge absence in our life," he said.

On the night of January 11, Liam went to his local pub, Reynolds', which he did every Saturday.

Around 10:30pm, he left that pub and went next door to The Weir Lodge, where he stayed until roughly 12:15am on January 12.

Liam then walked home, where he was discovered by his daughter later that afternoon.

When his body was found, it was covered in bruises "from head to toe," and his shoes and socks had been removed.

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Liam's daughter, who was "frantic," called Brendan to say, "Daddy's on the ground, he's cold."

An ambulance was called, but Liam was pronounced dead a short time after.

Brendan said that he didn't even recognise the man on the ground as his dad because of how extensive the injuries were.

As well as the bruising, there was blood found at multiple locations around the house, including on the front gate, gable, and at the rear of the house.

"I can still hear the ambulance. I can still see the injuries," Brendan shared.

A coroner's inquest at the time returned an open verdict on Liam's death, and in 2024, a jury at Carrick-on-Shannon delivered an open verdict stating that the evidence didn't explain his death.

The Farrell family have been waiting six years for a national appeal of this scale, the case has since undergone significant developments.

The Minister for Justice approved an order for the exhumation of Mr Farrell’s remains, allowing for further forensic examination.

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The investigation is now under review by the Garda Serious Crime Review Team, with the televised appeal earlier in the week aimed at encouraging anyone with information to come forward.

The Farrell family hope the renewed attention will finally bring clarity to the circumstances of the retired farmer's death.

Liam's son says he "loved the family, loved life, loved a good day" and always "embraced the day."