The body of a Clare man who died four decades ago in mysterious circumstances will be exhumed tomorrow as part of a renewed garda investigation into his death.
In a statement this evening, lawyers for the family of Patrick Nugent, who was 23 at the time of his death, have confirmed that the family has “engaged with Gardai on both the sensitive logistics of the exhumation and it’s likely outworkings.”
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.
In 2022 the Garda Commissioner directed a fresh investigation into the circumstances of the death of Patrick Nugent.
The Nugent family solicitor, Kevin Winters of KRW LAW, Human Rights Lawyers said: “We act on behalf of the family of Clare man Patrick Nugent who died in February 1984 from injuries sustained after a function in Bunratty Castle. The family believe strongly that Patrick was killed and his murder covered up. They have been fighting over 40 years now for justice for Patrick. However no one has ever been convicted in connection with his killing. As part of the renewed Gardai investigation into the controversial circumstances surrounding his death an exhumation will take place on Tuesday 24/9/24 at the family grave in County Clare.”
“The family have been through a criminal trial; the outworkings of a Gardai disciplinary process ; an inquest ; a section 42 Gardai Inquiry following a miscarriage of justice investigation by the IRM together with a renewed criminal investigation after the Attorney General reviewed the findings of District Judge Patrick Clyne.”
Speaking on the significance of the exhumation the brothers John and Martin of the deceased said: “After having some initial misgivings about the worthiness of any new investigation we want to put on record our appreciation of the work Gardai have undertaken over the last few years. They have been proactive in their oversight and have kept us included at all stages of the investigation. That is especially the case with the exhumation of Patrick. Our decision to agree to this unusual and unique step wasn’t taken lightly. It’s really very poignant for us as a family to experience the disinterment of our brothers remains especially given the proximity of the grave to our family home.
We accept that it’s for the best if the results can shed some additional light on what we already know. We have worked very closely with Gardai and our solicitors on the complicated logistics involved in organising this exhumation. Having agreed to go through with it we are all quietly hopeful that we might just get a breakthrough.”
“The Nugent family have been through a difficult and lengthy legal odyssey to get to this point. At times it’s been nothing short of tortuous. They have displayed remarkable patience with the legal and investigative system. That includes having to reluctantly accept the confidentiality of Judge Clynes findings in order to preserve the integrity of this renewed investigation. What happened on that fateful night has never been resolved. That no one has ever been held to account after 4 decades remains a travesty of justice.
We’ve engaged with Gardai on both the sensitive logistics of the exhumation and it’s likely outworkings. We understand starting from early in the morning there will be a team of forensic experts tasked with examination of the remains. A key area will be the tests undertaken on bones to see if those results might alter hitherto settled narratives on the case. We hope those anthropological findings will provide new investigative leads for Gardai in all their follow up inquiries. In many ways we hope this historic investigative milestone will pave the way for a renewed investigative strategy. After all this time it’s the least the family can expect to achieve.”
The death of Patrick Nugent was the subject of an episode of RTÉ’s Crimecall programme.