A lorry driver stabbed a convicted sex offender to death in a bloodbath attack before being run over and killed as he escaped, it emerged last night.
The Star has established that Kieran Hamill shouted “he had it coming” when he was disturbed as he stabbed Chris Mooney to death early yesterday at the victim’s home in rural Co Monaghan.
Sources say Mr Hamill, 37, inflicted up to a dozen knife wounds on Mr Mooney, who spent five years in prison after he was convicted of multiple charges of sexual assault against a young boy in 2003.
Gardai investigating yesterday’s tragedy in the townland of Broomfield near Castleblayney believe Hamill then ran away from the scene of the murder – but was struck by a car as he walked on a quiet road back towards his Culloville, just over the border in Co Armagh.
The car contained several men from the north who were heading to work in the Republic, sources said.
And they added that, as of last night, investigators believe Mr Hamill’s death was a tragic accident and do not believe he jumped out in front of the car.
The Star has learned that gardai suspect Mr Hamill had been in Mr Mooney’s house for several hours before the alarm was raised.
It’s understood a relative of Mr Mooney – who had become a recluse since his release from prison in around 2010 after serving jail time for abusing a boy – went to his house at around 6.20am and disturbed Mr Hamill carrying out the murder.
Sources say there were signs that the house had been ransacked and the room where the attack happened was covered in the victim’s blood.
We have learned that Mr Hamill, who was facing three criminal charges in the Republic, ran off as soon as the relative entered the house.
But as he was leaving he told the relative that Mr Mooney had it coming to him.
Gardai believe a knife was used in the attack, but it had not been found as of last night.
Mr Hamill then fled the scene on foot and walked around two kilometres towards Culloville - but was struck by a car as he reached the Ballynacarry Bridge that spans the River Fane and connects Monaghan to Armagh.
It’s understood he was killed instantly in the smash.
Gardai rushed to both scenes – but there was nothing that could be done for either man.
Both scenes were still cordoned off last night as gardai carried out separate probes into the incidents.
But sources have told the Star that garda are satisfied the events were liked – and that nobody else was involved.
“We are satisfied that there is a connection,” a source said last night.
Gardai were also trying to establish the nature of the relationship between the two men – but they do not believe burglary was a motive for the attack.
We have established that Mr Mooney, who was 60, lived a reclusive life after he was attacked in 2014 following his release from prison for sexually assaulting a young teen.
It’s understood he was held captive by two males in his home for several hours.
Gardai later identified one of the culprits, but no charges were laid against him.
Mooney is known to have been traumatised by the incident and had also been shunned by people in Castleblayney because of his sex attacks on the juvenile.
“He went into lockdown after that,” a source said.
“He really kept a low profile.”
The Star has also learned that Mr Hamill, who was from the Concession Road in Culloville, was facing three criminal charges in the Republic at the time of his death.
He is alleged to have committed the public order offence of affray in Castleblayney in May of this year.
He was due in court in Monaghan next week to either plead or set a date for hearing.
And he was also before the courts for allegedly threatening to damage a woman’s property and assaulting her at an address in Dundalk, Co Louth on St Stephen’s Day 2021.
That case was due up in February.
He was facing up to five years in prison if convicted.
Gardai last night appealed for witnesses to either incident to come forward.
They appealed for any road users who were travelling in the vicinity of the N53, Castleblayney to Dundalk Road this morning and who have may camera footage (including dash-cam) are asked to make it available to Gardaí.
Anyone with information is asked to contact Carrickmacross Garda Station on 042 969 0190, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111, or any Garda Station.
Abd they also appealed for anyone with information about the murder of Mr Mooney to come forward.
A spokesman said: “Gardaí are appealing for anyone who was in the Broomfield area between 5:00am and 6:45am this morning, particularly anyone with mobile phone footage or dashcam footage, to contact Castleblayney Garda Station on 042 974 0668 or the Garda Confidential Line on 1800-666-111.”
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