04/08/97 - Murder family plan to sue
Joe O'Shea
Irish Daily Star

THE family of murder victim Alison Shaughnessy are planning a civil action agalnat the two sisters cleared of her killing at a London appeal court.

Lawyers acting on behalf of the family are examining legal precendents in a bid to mount a case against Michelle (27) and Lisa (24) Taylor. The sisters spent 11 months in jail in England after being convicted of killing the 21-year-old bank official from Piltown, Co Kilkenny.

Mrs Shaughnessy had only just married when she was attacked and stabbed 54 times at her home in Battersea, London in June 1991. Her brother Robert Blackmore has confirmed that he has consulted a barrister in London about taking a case against the Taylor sisters.

Mr Blackmore said the family were determined to take a case in a bid to "get justice for Alison". However, the London based bank official is facing a major legal obstacle.

Civil actions of this type in England have to be taken within six years of the event at the centre of the litigation. The six year deadline was passed last June. However, Mr Blackmore believes there is a legal precendent which will allow him to mount an action.