Gardaí hope advances in technology and investigative techniques will help them to provide “clarity” to the family of Patrick Nugent about the circumstances of his death at Bunratty Castle in Co Clare more than 40 years ago, a senior officer has said.
At a press briefing outside Shannon Garda station on Tuesday, Insp David Finnerty said the latest inquiry into the death of the 23-year-old from Sixmilebridge in February 1984 was treating the matter “as though it happened yesterday”.
“We want to bring clarity for the Nugent family and also want to investigate the matter thoroughly,” he said.
As part of the investigation, gardaí were on Tuesday carrying out an exhumation of Mr Nugent’s remains from his grave at Feenagh burial ground in Co Clare. Insp Finnerty told reporters this would be “carried out expeditiously and respectfully”.
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Forensic anthropologist Dr Laureen Buckley is assisting with the exhumation, while assistant State Pathologist Dr Hedi Okkers is to carry out a postmortem.
Mr Nugent was working as banquet manager in Bunratty Folk Park at the time, with a 40th wedding anniversary party for William and Chrissy Ryan taking place on the night. At around 4am, an incident occurred in the car park of the venue’s ‘The Barn’ function room during which Mr Nugent sustained serious injuries.
William Ryan, who was head chef with Aer Rianta at Shannon Airport, was charged in 1985 with Mr Nugent’s manslaughter and with dangerous driving. He was later acquitted and has since died. No other person has been charged in relation to Mr Nugent’s death.
An inquest found he had suffered severe internal abdominal injuries, which were consistent with being crushed or that were inflicted while he was in a crouched or squatting position.
Minister for Justice Helen McEntee two years ago told Mr Nugent’s family that Garda Commissioner Drew Harris had ordered a fresh investigation into certain matters raised by retired District Court judge Patrick Clyne, who completed a report on the original investigation. The decision was welcomed by Mr Nugent’s brothers John and Martin.
Insp Finnerty said he hoped “advances in technology and investigative techniques will progress this investigation 40 years later and present fresh opportunity to this investigation team”. He would not be drawn, citing operational reasons, when asked if something specific had prompted the decision to exhume Mr Nugent’s remains.
He said the investigating team, based at Shannon, “are currently in the process of interviewing witnesses who attended the party” that took place on the night of February 10th/11th at Bunratty in 1984. Insp Finnerty said there are around 100 witnesses and they would all be interviewed in time, but he declined to say how many had been to date.
He acknowledged the challenges of investigating the circumstances of a death which occurred more than 40 years ago, but said every investigation is faced with challenges.
“The primary focus of this investigation is the victim, Patrick Nugent and his family. Patrick’s family deserve to know, and to bring closure to what happened to Patrick on the night of the 10th and 11th February 1984.”
He called on those present on the night or those with information which could assist the investigation to come forward. He said some people might think what they know about the incident is of “limited value” but it was important to let gardaí investigating Mr Nugent’s death to make that decision.
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