$20,000 reward for Philadelphia killers

By Patrick Markey

The Philadelphia Irish community has raised more than $20,000 in reward money for information leading to the arrest of the killers who fatally shot a Donegal immigrant during a botched robbery two months ago.

Frustrated with the slow progress of the investigation into Martin McConigley’s murder, representatives from the Federation of Irish Societies met with police officials last week and organized a fund-raiser.

"There is a sense of frustration in the community," federation representative Tom Conaghan said. "The police do have a good lead and we hope this will give them the break they need."

McConigley’s case will also appear on the local "Crimestoppers" television program next week after the federation consulted with the Philadelphia Police Department’s Citizens Crime Commission.

While homicide detectives working the case believe they have pinpointed a solid direction in their investigation, they have yet to make any arrests.

McConigley was shot multiple times as he chased two armed thieves who had just robbed his business partner inside their construction company in the northwestern area of the city.

The robbers left Sean Clinton tied up in an office as he waited for McConigley with the company’s payroll. As the two robbers fled, McConigley followed them in his car, but he was shot dead through the windshield of his car.