The accused, Gopal Khadka, 43, was made public amid a press meet in the Capital on Tuesday. A team of police intercepted Khadka at Kakkadvitta in Jhapa district while he was trying to re-enter Nepal from India on Monday.

Khadka was a domestic help at Fr Gaffney’s house, police said.

Father Gaffney was found dead on the floor of his social center and home at about 8 a.m. on December 13, 1997 with his throat slit but with no evidence of forced entry or a struggle.

 Khadka, a native of Fasku-8 in Dolakha district, was presumed as the sole suspect based on the statements of other people and his sudden disappearance after the murder.

He has admitted to killing Gaffney and fleeing to India the very next day taking Rs 22,000 from his possession.

He told the police in his statement that he murdered Gaffney because he did not pay him for the working as domestic help despite his promise.