The family of a priest, who died in suspicious circumstances nearly a decade ago, have called for an independent inquiry into his death. Gregory Galvin, whose brother Fr Leo was brutally attacked at a party in the Co. Clare village of Kilmitten, says he’s never been happy with how the gardaí conducted the investigation. Mr Galvin (60) was speaking to the producers of a forthcoming television documentary.

‘The crime may have shocked the nation but, from the beginning, the investigation was a shambles,’ said a still grieving Mr Galvin. ‘How can it be right that one of the key men, Sergeant Flan Varley, was also at the party? If you ask me, he had a conflict of interest. He may well have been drinking with the person who killed my brother. That man should have had nothing to do with the investigation.’

In an interview conducted at his modest home in Knockgreelish, Mr Galvin said he was convinced that some in Kilmitten had chosen to shield the killer. ‘I believe there are those who can help identify the person who murdered my brother. That’s why I’m calling for a full independent inquiry into what happened. The inquiry also needs to look at how the gardaí failed to do their job. This family is entitled to justice.’

One of Nina’s knees wobbled. Julian didn’t appear to notice her unease. The piece was accompanied by two photographs. The first was of Gregory Galvin, standing beside his brother’s grave, his eyes hooded, his cheeks hollow. In the other picture, Father Leo Galvin beamed with life. He was wearing his Mass robes. The bishop was standing beside him. Nina recognised the shot. It had been taken on the day she and the others had made their Confirmation, less than a year before the priest’s death. She continued to read.

The local GP, Dr Emmet Minogue, was among those in attendance at the party, which took place in the home of Micheál, better known as Haulie, Crossan and his wife, Cora. Several sources have told the documentary makers that a large amount of alcohol was consumed by almost everybody at the gathering.

The Sunday Herald sought a response from Sergeant Varley and from the Garda press office, but they failed to respond. Unholy Truth: Who Killed Fr Galvin? will be broadcast in January to mark the tenth anniversary of the priest’s death.

In the taxi, Nina was quiet. Julian, transfixed by the newspaper, remained oblivious to her unhappiness. Tears formed at the back of her eyes.