Body of Clare man who died violently 40 years ago to be exhumed as part of Garda probe
23 Us">pat Event On The At In After Of He A Honour Was Local An Lang="en Chef Castle Night
The body of a young man who died violently 40 years ago is to be exhumed on Tuesday as part of the Garda investigation into his death.
Pat Nugent, a native of Sixmilebridge in Co Clare, was a catering manager in Bunratty Castle when he was assaulted by some means in the early morning of February 12, 1984, in the castle grounds.
As part of a cold case review, his remains are to be exhumed. His two brothers, Martin and John Nugent, have agreed to the exhumation in a decision “that wasn’t taken lightly”.
Pat Nugent was 23 on the night he died after overseeing an event at the castle in honour of a local chef, William Ryan. Mr Nugent was found on the floor of the reception area in the facility in a distressed state and seriously injured.
He subsequently died of his injuries and a murder investigation was launched. As well as Mr Ryan, two off-duty gardaí who were present at the event were in the general vicinity around the time Mr Nugent was found seriously injured.
Subsequently, Mr Ryan was charged with manslaughter and dangerous driving but was found not guilty. Nobody else was charged in respect of Mr Nugent’s death.
At a subsequent inquest, the jury decided the deceased man had been hit by a person or persons unknown causing him to fall and he was then run over by William Ryan’s car.
The jury also concluded because of the “suppression of evidence”, the minister for justice should reopen the investigation into Mr Nugent’s death. The investigation was not reopened at the time.
His family over the last 40 years have consistently lobbied for a proper inquiry into what happened. In February this year, it was announced the case was now the subject of a cold case review.
That investigation is now moving to a stage where it is envisaged Mr Nugent’s remains can be examined to adduce some evidence of what may have happened to him. He is buried in the cemetery in Sixmilebridge close to the family home.
John and Martin Nugent said they were satisfied the Garda investigation deemed it necessary.
“It’s really very poignant for us as a family to experience the disinterment of our brother's remains, especially given the proximity to our family home.
"We accept it’s for the best if the results can shed some additional light on what we already know. Having agreed to go through with it we are all quietly hopeful that we might just get a breakthrough.”