A retired man was murdered in his home; the case remains unsolved after 26 years.
Someone attacked Daniel at his home. It happened within three hours after he was last last seen on June 17, 1998. The attacker struck him with a blunt object, hitting him three times on the head. He was a 65-year-old retired worker and suffered serious injuries.
The attacker tried to hide their crime. Daniel was helpless on the floor after the blows. They piled a mattress, clothes, papers, and a radiator on top of him. Then, the attacker set everything on fire, acting without any feeling.
There was no break-in, leading police to believe Daniel either left his door open or let the killer inside. A neighbor heard a loud explosion. The fire blew out the windows, as oxygen rushed in, causing a blast due to the build-up of toxic gases inside the flat.
Firefighters arrived around 3:37 a.m., initially believing it was just a fire and unknowingly damaged evidence while extinguishing the flames. They later found Daniel under the debris. He was only 5’6″ and weighed eight stone.
Detectives said his injuries were very bad, but he could have lived despite the wounds. An examination revealed the cause of death — carbon monoxide poisoning from inhaling fumes from the fire. A coroner ruled it unlawful killing.
Nobody has been charged in his murder. Daniel grew up in County Donegal and lived in Glasgow before moving to Bolton, where he lived for 14 years. He was single and kept to himself, meeting older people at pubs and visiting Charles and his family.
Police have pieced together some details of Daniel’s last day. He left his flat around 10:30 a.m. on June 17 and was seen at 11 a.m. sitting on a bench in Bolton. He visited pubs on Chorley Old Road, including Funny’s Bar and the Victory Arms, before returning home around 4:30 p.m.
He returned to Funny’s Bar that evening, which is now a supermarket. He was there alone at 10:20 p.m. and liked brandy with a half pint of beer. He was seen at 11:30 p.m. on Chorley Old Road walking toward Mornington Road and possibly near Morrisons at 1 a.m.
Daniel’s brother, Charles, spoke after the death, describing Daniel as gentle and quiet. He said Daniel dressed nicely and was clean, always wearing a collar and tie. Charles could not understand the attack and wondered why anyone would hurt him.
Detectives couldn’t find a motive, as the attack was very violent. Daniel was elderly and had few resources, with no known enemies. Rumors swirled about money, with some hearing about a farm sale in Ireland, but Charles said it wasn’t true and police found no evidence of it.
Eleven people have been arrested in the case dating back to 2014, yet nobody has been formally charged. Police’s Cold Case unit says no case closes, with new information always holding the potential to help find the killer. Anyone with information is urged to call 0161 856 5978 or Crimestoppers anonymously at 0800 555 111.