Family ‘deserve to know’ how Co Clare man died in 1984 as exhumation held

By Gráinne Ní Aodha and Jonathan McCambridge, PA

The exhumation of the body of a man who died in unexplained circumstances 40 years ago in Co Clare began on Tuesday as part of a new investigation.

Gardaí are hoping that advances in investigation methods, a new post-mortem examination and fresh interviews with 100 witnesses will bring new information to light.

Patrick Nugent, 23, died in the early hours of February 11th, 1984, after he was found lying on the ground in a car park at Bunratty Folk Park.

He had been working as a banquet manager at a party in the tourist spot the previous evening.

Patrick was given CPR at the scene and was brought by ambulance to Barrington’s Hospital in Limerick, where he died from his injuries.

A man was charged in connection with Patrick’s death, but was acquitted and cleared of any criminal charges.

The family of Mr Nugent believe he was killed, but nobody has been convicted over his death.

The new investigation into Mr Nugent’s death is to review and re-examine all available material using modern-day investigative techniques.

An investigation team from the Clare Garda division has been established at Shannon Garda Station, led by a senior investigating officer.

More than 100 witnesses who attended the party are being interviewed at Shannon Garda Station and the scene at the car park has been re-examined by a forensic collision investigator.

Mr Nugent’s brothers John and Martin said the decision to agree to the exhumation “wasn’t taken lightly”.

“It’s really very poignant for us as a family to experience the disinterment of our brother’s remains, especially given the proximity of the grave to our family home.”

They added: “We accept that it’s for the best if the results can shed some additional light on what we already know.

Inspector David Finnerty said Patrick’s family “deserve to know” what happened to him.

“The primary focus of this investigation is the victim Patrick Nugent and his family,” he said.

“Patrick’s family deserve to know, and to bring closure to what happened to Patrick on the night of the 10th/11th February 1984.

“I want to speak to any person who has any knowledge of the events that took place at The Barn, Bunratty Castle on the night of the 10/11th February 1984.

“The investigation is focused on all those who attended the party on the night as either a guest or a member of staff. Do you now recall something that previously you were unable to share with the investigation?”

“Are you a family member or friend of anyone who attended the party? You may be able to assist the investigation? Do you have photographs which were taken on the night?”

“There may still be persons who have information on Patrick’s death, either at the time or subsequently, and who haven’t yet spoken to Gardai, or may have spoken to Gardai but were not in a position to tell everything that they know. I am appealing to those persons, 40 years later, to please come forward and speak to the investigation team.”

He added: “I finally appeal to any person who may have information relative to Patrick’s death not to assume we know and/or that it has limited value. Let us make that decision. I cannot reiterate that enough.

“I would urge person(s) with information in relation to the death of Patrick Nugent to contact the incident room at Shannon Garda Station on 061 365900, the Garda confidential number 1800 666 111 or any member of An Garda Siochana at any Garda station.”

In October 1985, a coroner’s inquest jury returned a verdict of accidental death in relation to Patrick Nugent, but added that it was “far from satisfied as to the circumstances under which Patrick Nugent sustained the injuries which caused his death”.

In 2014, the Government established an Independent Review Mechanism which included the death of Patrick Nugent, which recommended the establishment of a special enquiry.

In 2017, the Government appointed Judge Patrick Clyne to carry out this enquiry, who reported to the Minister for Justice in 2020.

A cold case enquiry was launched by Garda Commissioner Drew Harris in 2022 and on Tuesday, Gardai announced a new investigation into Patrick’s death, including a new post-mortem examination assisted by forensic anthropologist Dr Laureen Buckley.

Assistant state pathologist Dr Hedi Okkers will carry out a formal state post-mortem examination.