THE body of a man who died in mysterious circumstances over 40 years ago is being exhumed today.
Patrick Nugent was working at a private party hosting around 60 guests at Bunratty Castle & Folk Park in Co Clare in February of 1984 when he was killed.
The 23-year-old, who was the banquet manager of the venue, was found with serious injuries after he was assaulted in the carpark of The Barn at around 4am on the 11th of February.
Irish Examiner Special Correspondent Mick Clifford told Newstalk that most people left the event and had gone home when one member of staff “heard a loud bang”.
Clifford explained: “They went out and Pat Nugent was on the ground, looking very distressed and seriously injured.
“He said to one of the staff, ‘He clocked me’ – but he didn’t say who he was referencing.”
Patrick was provided with first aid at the scene and was subsequently transferred by Ambulance to Barrington’s Hospital, Limerick.
He died as a result of injuries sustained during the incident.
His death at the time was investigated at Shannon Garda Station assisted by the ‘Investigation Section’ from the Technical Bureau, Garda Headquarters.
In 1985, William Ryan, who was head chef with Aer Rianta at Shannon Airport, was charged with the manslaughter of Patrick and with dangerous driving, but acquitted and cleared of any criminal charges in connection with the fatality. Mr Ryan is now deceased.
To date no other person has been charged in relation to the death of Patrick.
Gardai commenced a new investigation into the circumstances of Patrick’s death in 2022, telling how they are “very aware” that the Nugent family have been forced to live with the loss of the young man and “uncertainty around the circumstances” of his death for the last four decades.
An exhumation of Patrick’s remains has commenced this morning to allow a new State Post Mortem examination to take place.
And Gardai have posed three key questions that they believe may be vital to their cold case review of the killing.
WHO ATTENDED THE PARTY?
The first key question posed by Gardai surrounds the group of guests who attended the party at Bunratty Castle & Folk Park that night.
Speaking today, Inspector David Finnerty said: “The primary focus of this investigation is the victim, Patrick Nugent and his family.
“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 10th/ 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.”
Patrick was working at the 40th wedding anniversary party for William and Chrissy Ryan in Bunratty at the time of his death.
The event was attended by around 60 guests, including two off-duty gardai.
He was found with serious injuries in the yard outside the venue at 4am shortly after he went out to help the party host – Mr Ryan who was charged in 1985 before being acquitted – bring gifts to his car.
An inquest into Patrick’s death heard from a staff member who said they were “absolutely certain” that the 23-year-old’s dying words were that he had been assaulted, or that a man had “clocked him”.
Gardai are in the process of interviewing surviving witnesses who attended the party but Inspector Finnerty would not confirm the number of interviews scheduled, citing operational matters.
DOES SOMEONE RECALL DETAILS THEY DIDN’T PREVIOUSLY?
Gardai have urged anyone who may recall any details of the evening that they did not share previously to come forward.
Inspector David Finnerty said: “Do you now recall something that previously you were unable to share with the investigation?”
He added: “There may still be persons, who have information on Patricks 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.”
“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.”
“I finally appeal to any person who may have information relative to Patricks death not to assume we know and/or that it has limited value.
“Let us make that decision. I cannot reiterate that enough.”
A Garda appeal online adds: “Do you have any information in your possession that may assist with establishing the circumstances surrounding the death of Patrick?
“You may not have been able to unburden yourself until now – but with the passage of time, or a change in personal circumstances, you may have information which you were unable to share previously. We want to assure you we will treat you with compassion and sensitivity.”
ARE THERE ANY PHOTOGRAPHS OF THE EVENT?
Gardai have also urged anyone who can assist in the investigation that may have photographs taken at the event or may know someone who attended that night to come forward.
He asked: “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?”
Gardai are hoping that advances in investigation methods, a new post-mortem examination and fresh interviews will bring new information to light.
This new investigation team have been gathering, reviewing and re-examining all available material and are “utilising advances” in modern day investigative techniques.
The original scene at The Barn has been re-examined by a Forensic Collision Investigator.
A Garda statement said: “It is hoped that with advances in technology and investigative techniques will progress this investigation 40years later.”
Any new photographs or evidence from witnesses or those who may know witnesses that attended the event could be vital in piecing together the information Gardai have gathered.
TIMELINE OF EVENTS ON NIGHT PATRICK DIED
GARDAI have established a timeline of events on the night Patrick died.
Approximately 60 invited guests attended the party which was held in a building known as ‘The Barn’ on the grounds of Bunratty Folk Park.
Some of the guests parked their cars in a courtyard located directly opposite to ‘The Barn’ while others utilised the public carpark located outside the Folk Park.
A buffet meal was served on the night and entertainment was provided by a local band. At approximately 3am on 11th February 1984 the band stopped playing and guests began to leave.
At approximately 4am, Patrick Nugent assisted William Ryan in bringing anniversary gifts out to William Ryan’s car which was parked in the courtyard outside ‘The Barn’.
A short time later, some guests were still in the function room of ‘The Barn’ and some members of staff who were in the kitchen area of ‘The Barn’ heard a noise outside.
A number of guests and staff members went the short distance from the Function Room and the kitchen to the courtyard area.
They observed Patrick Nugent lying at the entrance door which leads to the courtyard. He had received injuries from which he later died.
A Coroners Inquest took place in October 1985. The Jury returned a verdict of accidental death but attached a rider which included “the Jury are far from satisfied as to the circumstances under which Patrick Nugent sustained the injuries which caused his death.
“Accordingly, the Jury requests the Minister for Justice to have the matter further investigated.”
In 2014 the Government established an Independent Review Mechanism (IRM) which included the death of Patrick Nugent.
The Independent Review Mechanism (IRM) recommended the establishment of a special inquiry under the Garda Síochána Act 2005.
In 2017 the Government appointed Judge Patrick Clyne to carry out this inquiry. Judge Clyne reported to the Minister for Justice in 2020.
The report was sent to the Garda Commissioner and in 2022 the Garda Commissioner directed a fresh investigation into the circumstances of the death of Patrick.
Patrick’s family have always believed that he died violently amid allegations it was not investigated adequately and there was a cover up.
Earlier this year on the 29th January 2024, in advance of the 40th anniversary of the death of Patrick Nugent, An Garda Siochana, with Patrick’s brothers John and Martin, made a fresh appeal for information on Crimecall.
