Murder at the Cottage | Sky

Your posting and theory is only as good or bad as all the other theories. None of us were actually there and the "it could have been" is actually a very wide variety of options. Evidence to link the murderer to the weapon or crime scene was never found, and we are barely speculating on the motive. In the end, we've got absolutely nothing at all, only indications but no proof. I would however agree with most user's previous posts that Alfie and Shirley would have been at least equally suspect as Ian and Jules and would have to have had stronger background investigation. One would also have to question whether Shirley really found the body where it was or if it was moved, and if so by whom ( her husband? ) and why? The blood on the door and the blood on the gates certainly bring up a lot of questions, if the body was between the two places.

And suspecting somebody doesn't automatically make them murderer. Suspecting also can mean to investigate and to exclude somebody, to narrow the field of possibilities. And yes, there would have been every reason to also suspect Alfie and Shirley. Regardless of closed windows that night, wind, or deep sleep, it's hard to imagine they didn't hear anything if a woman was fighting for her life and screaming on top of her lungs, and regarding sleep, even that is often hard to prove as well, some people are light sleepers some not.

I honestly couldn't see a PI killing Sophie and also don't think that the PI theory is very realistic. The PI would have been hired by Daniel, to investigate, and nothing more, he would have been paid more than well by Daniel for "pictures in back and white or colour". Maybe it was really an argument and a brawl getting out of hand, as Sophie discovered the PI? Yes it could have been, but can we prove it? Certainly not. Yes, Daniel and Sophie were considering a divorce, Daniel knew that his wife was having affair after affair, so why send a PI after her to confirm what he already knew. ( Sophie most likely knew the same about her husband ) The whole PI theory is a bit far fetched in my opinion, but I also wouldn't rule it out, same as all the other theories we have.

The Sheridan documentary mentioned "forensics investigating the scene". I would be inclined to think that forensics were from further afield from the next bigger Garda station, thus they would not have been a corrupt local Gard. Thus it is really possible that there was absolutely no evidence found, and not a case of deliberately not looking.....

It was asked if it was an axe or a poker that went missing. Could it be a combination as below?

"Sophie was disturbed, that is clear."

You have no evidence for this but it's just one more thing you say like it was fact.

'Evidence' isn't required for Guards to seek search warrants. Alfie's admission of having been at the backdoor of Sophie's house could be construed as an attempt to cover for himself allowing a Guard to believe a crime may have been committed and so having grounds to seek a search warrant.

I find the buttons claim to be a bit odd as it means they must have been metal. What sort of overcoat has metal buttons?

Shirley was a just retired teacher from East London,

she came to live out her retirement in West Cork with Alfie.

She most likely did her speaking to the investigators, told the truth and stuck to it, really boring as far as this forum is concerned.

A Bailey or Farrell she was not.

What kind of "quotes or information" would you expect from her?

And your sympathy for Jules?

what evidence do the drug squad have to search a premises if the drugs are what they are looking for? eh?

I'd like to know if Shirley thought there might be someone using the house when Sophie was away.. And any ideas on who it might be? Had Alfie or Shirley ever noticed lights or any sort of activity at times when Sophie wasn't there?

Are they usually such sound sleepers? If Bailey committed this murder he would have been loud.. And Sophie must have been screaming.

I'd like to know more detail about why Alfie had referred to Sophie as being a bit of a pain? Was there really an ongoing disagreement about gate etc. Or is that just a rumour?

Was Alfies hand bandaged on the morning of the 23rd? And why? Apparently it was a dog bite but they didn't have a dog at the time?

Did Alfie and Shirley have a view on why Sophie didn't run towards their house? Did they give any insight about the pile of rocks near the bloody gate (that were shown in a photo a few pages back on this thread).

I'd love to know who Shirley thinks may have committed the murder. Yes, it's speculation but it's with the added insight of someone who knew Sophie and knew the locality.

Jules told a 'boring truth' too of just going to bed.. Until she was arrested and grilled by Guards in a stressful setting. I have no idea if Alfie or Shirley were in any way involved or if they ever knew more than they let on but they were the closest neighbours and we know very, very little about them.

Here's what I said:

" 'Evidence' isn't required for Guards to seek search warrants ". You understand the single commas?

Any Guard?