Gardaí have issued an appeal for information in their renewed investigation into the death of Clare man Patrick Nugent over 40 years ago.
Gardaí have also confirmed that the exhumation Patrick’s remains commenced this morning at Feenagh Cemetery near Sixmilebridge as part of a fresh probe into the circumstances of his death in February 1984 at Bunratty Folk Park in Co Clare.
Mr Nugent worked as banqueting manager at Bunratty Castle and Folk Park and on the night of his death, had been working at an event to celebrate the 40th wedding anniversary of William & Chrissie Ryan. William Ryan was well- known in the area and held a prominent position as ‘Head Chef’ for Aer Rianta in Shannon Airport.
In the early morning, at around 4.00am, on the 11th February 1984 an incident occurred in the carpark of The Barn during which Patrick Nugent was seriously injured. The gravely injured Mr Nugent was treated at the scene and later transferred by Ambulance to Barrington’s Hospital, Limerick however he later died as a result of these injuries.
Mr Nugent’s family has long believed that he was killed and the truth covered up, but no one was ever convicted in connection with his death.
Following an initial Garda investigation, one man was charged in connection with Patrick’s death, however he was later acquitted of all charges. To date, no other person has been charged in relation to his death.
The Jury at a Coroner’s Inquest in October 1985, returned a verdict of ‘accidental death’, but stated they were ‘far from satisfied as to the circumstances under which Patrick Nugent sustained the injuries which caused his death’, and called on the then Minister for Justice to have the matter further investigated.
The Government later established an Independent Review Mechanism, which recommended the establishment of a special inquiry into Mr Nugent’s death. That was in 2014, thirty years after Patrick’s untimely death.
Judge Patrick Clyne was appointed three years later to carry out that inquiry. It took a further three years for that report to be completed and presented to the then Justice Minister. The Nugent family was also shown the report confidentiality but it has yet to be made public.
The Garda Commissioner later ordered that a fresh investigation into the circumstances of Patrick Nugent’s death should be undertaken while in January of this year, ahead of the 40th anniversary of his death, Patrick’s family issued a renewed appeal for information.
As part of this, Gardaí have commenced the exhumation of Patrick’s remains this morning and continued through the day at Feenagh Cemetery. The area was screened off from public view as Patrick’s grave, in the Nugent family plot, is located close to the roadway.
This morning at Shannon Garda Station Detective Inspector David Finnerty confirmed that the original scene had been re-examined by technical experts. He added that it was hoped advances in investigation techniques might progress matters.
The exhumation of Mr Nugent’s remains is being overseen by forensic anthropologist Dr Laureen Buckley.
Detective Inspector Finnerty told a media briefing this morning: “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 Gardaí, or may have spoken to Gardaí 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.
“I would urge (anyone) 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 Síochána at any Garda station.
“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,” the Inspector added.
