New evidence in 61-year-old murder of Irish Immigrant in Worcester, Massachusetts

Police may have new lead in cold blooded slaying of innocent immigrant

By

KERRY O'SHEA,

IrishCentral Staff Writer

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Worcester, Massachusetts police are close to solving the mystery of who killed Irish immigrant Sean Goggin 61-years-old

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“In reviewing the case file, I was very impressed at the investigation that was done by the investigators back then," Sgt. Sawyer said. "They did not have all the tools that we have available to us these days. They left no stone unturned."

Despite impressive investigation, the handgun that killed Sean Goggin was never recovered.

Now that the investigation is being reexamined, Sgt Sawyer believes there may be some witnesses still alive to help piece together the night of March 11, 1951. Though the perpetrators may in fact have died already, concrete evidence could put an end on the still unfinished story.

Letters from Goggin’s grieving parents John and Madge Goggin in Ireland are included in the investigation files.

"We are greatly grieved by the murder of our son in such tragic circumstances, but our distress has been added to by certain misleading statements which have appeared in the newspapers about the killing," the Goggin’s wrote in April 1951 to Chief Finneran. His parents added that their son had no connection to the gunmen.

Also in April of that year, Joseph F. Shields, consul for the Consulate of Ireland, stationed in Boston, wrote to the police chief. He discussed the concern of Mr. Goggin's parents.

“They believe that their son was perfectly innocent of any connection with anything discreditable, and they are anxious that full enquiries be made into their boy's death so that all the facts may come to light and be disclosed," Shields wrote.

Finneran responded, "Investigation discloses that your son was not involved with any gangster movement in this city, and from all appearances was an innocent victim of circumstances. Be advised that we are making every effort to try and locate the two men responsible for this most dastardly act, and you can rest assured that they will be prosecuted to the full extent of the law when they are taken into custody."

Source: Boston.com

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