And yet for all the attention that the Kerry babies scandal attracted in the 1980s, in the intervening period there was little detailed inquiry into who actually killed the child - once the initial, catastrophically botched investigation into the case was over.
That was until Supt Murphy reopened the investigation into the murder amid no little fanfare and some controversy in the surrounding areas last year.
While there is some scepticism in the area that the truth will emerge, and a veil of silence still lies over the locality, Murphy said he was hopeful that the mystery of what happened to Baby John will be solved.