Fifty-year-old Thomas “Tom” Breen was a builder from Downpatrick in Northern Ireland, and a devoted husband to his wife Lorraine and a proud father to sons Stephen and Paul. In the summer of 2002, he had traveled to London for construction work, a common path for many from Northern Ireland seeking opportunities. Described by those who knew him as a kind, helpful man who had lived through the Troubles but embraced peace, Tom was not someone prone to violence or trouble.
On the night of August 10th, 2002, he was drinking with his workmate Brian McGarry near the Elephant’s Head pub in Camden Town. Camden High Street, even late at night, was bustling with people drawn to its pubs, markets, and lively atmosphere.
According to police accounts, Tom and his friend became involved in an altercation with two other men. One of the attackers produced a knife. Brian McGarry was slashed but survived with minor injuries. Tom fought back but was fatally stabbed in the chest near the junction with Jamestown Road, close to a food outlet. He was rushed to the Royal Free Hospital but succumbed to his injuries.
Police described the attack as “unprovoked and brutal.” Despite the busy location, no clear witnesses came forward immediately, and the killer (or killers) disappeared into the night.
The case has been plagued by many frustrating setbacks. For instance, although Camden High Street had multiple cameras, none were positioned to capture the exact moment of the stabbing, and several pointed in the wrong direction.
Additionally, Tom’s friend reportedly suffered a memory blackout and couldn’t remember key details about the incident. Hypnosis was attempted without success.
The nearby canal was dredged in search of the murder weapon, but it was never recovered. A person was arrested shortly after the murder, and two men were arrested in total, but no one was ever charged.
In 2006, police released CCTV images of two potential witnesses who had been in the Elephant’s Head pub shortly before the attack. One was seen near the scene afterward. A £20,000 reward was offered, featured on Crimewatch, but it did not lead to a breakthrough.
The case was reviewed again in 2017, partly due to pressure from then-MP Sir Keir Starmer, but as of this writing in May 2026, the case remains open and unsolved.
Crime Immemorial 