Gardaí believe the killer of a County Clare priest may have left behind crucial evidence. Fr Leo Galvin died on Friday night in the isolated village of Kilmitten. He’d been attending a party at the home of a local businessman. The crime has sent shockwaves across the nation and united Church and political leaders in expressions of grief and condemnation.

A source close to the investigation has told the Herald that a cigarette butt and another item found close to the scene may provide vital clues. The source said that while nothing was being ruled out, it was likely that whoever killed the 44-year-old priest entered through the back door of the detached house which is home to Haulie Crossan, his wife Nora and their young son, Tom.

‘Typical. They couldn’t even get Cora Crossan’s name right,’ said Paula. ‘And there’s nothing isolated about Kilmitten.’

Conor ignored her. The lump was edging closer to his mouth.

Like the rest of the country, Kilmitten has seen heavy snowfall in recent days. The snow in the back garden is understood to have been disturbed, and several sets of footprints were detected.

‘Up to four people may have been involved,’ added the source.

Late last night, a post mortem was being carried out on the body of the slain cleric by the state pathologist, Professor Harry Burtenshaw. Local reports suggest that Fr Galvin may have suffered head injuries.

People in the close-knit community say they are in shock.

‘I was at the party,’ said Mercedes Talty (34). ‘What is the country coming to when a Catholic priest isn’t safe?’

‘I’d say it’s a long time since Mercedes Talty was thirty-four,’ said Paula. ‘Who does she think she’s fooling?’

Conor tried to say something sensible, but all he managed was another high-pitched ‘Oh.’

His sister gave him a puzzled look. They read on.

Noel O’Grady (42), who was also in the Crossans’ house at the time of the priest’s death, warned that the people of Kilmitten wouldn’t stand by and watch as their village was destroyed. ‘There are lots of rumours about who might have been responsible,’ he said. ‘I hope the police make an arrest soon.’

The Herald’s source expects an early breakthrough. ‘An intensive search is being carried out,’ they said. ‘Every inch of the surrounding land is being examined. If whoever was responsible for this heinous crime was stupid enough to leave evidence behind, they’ll be caught sooner rather than later.’

The paper promised further coverage on pages four to seven and twenty-three to twenty-five, plus an editorial called ‘The End of Innocence’. It also boasted a ten-page special on what it called ‘The Big Snow’.

‘Do you think all of that’s true?’ asked Paula.

By now, Conor was shivering. Seeing the details in a newspaper made everything feel different. More serious. More scary.

Paula’s eyes narrowed. ‘Is something wrong?’