THE BODY of Patrick Nugent, the 23-year-old Clare man who died 40 years ago, has been released for reburial following a post mortem. It is hoped the post mortem will throw new light on the cold case of how he died.
Mr Nugent died following an incident in Bunratty Folk Park and a man was subsequently acquitted of his manslaughter.
Gardaí are not releasing the results of the post mortem examination for “operational reasons”, but it is believed that the new examination will allow modern forensics and technology to give up more information in the investigation.
Mr Nugent, who was from Sixmilebridge, was the banquet manager at a 40th wedding anniversary party for William and Chrissy Ryan in Bunratty in 1984. The event was attended by around 60 guests.
He was found with serious injuries in the yard outside the venue at 4am on February 11, 1984, shortly after he went out to help the party host to bring gifts to his car.
Before he died, witnesses heard him say “he clocked me”.
Speaking about the exhumation from the graveyard close to the Nugent family home, the Mr Nugent’s family said that while it is a very difficult time for them, they are hopeful the measures will finally reveal the truth of what happened that tragic night.
