Man's body to be exhumed in cold case review 40 years on

The body of 23-year-old Patrick Nugent, who died in 1984 in unexplained circumstances at Bunratty Folk Park, Co Clare, is to be exhumed today.

The body is being exhumed at the family grave as part of a cold case garda investigation into his death.

Mr Nugent from Sixmilebridge was banquet manager at a 40th wedding anniversary party for William and Chrissy Ryan in Bunratty in February 1984.

He was found with serious injuries in the yard outside at 4am on 11 February, shortly after he went out to help the party host to bring gifts to his car.

William Ryan, who was head chef with Aer Rianta at Shannon Airport, was charged with the manslaughter of Mr Nugent and with dangerous driving at a trial in 1985 but acquitted. Mr Ryan is now deceased.

Mr Nugent's family have always believed that he died violently amid allegations it was not investigated adequately and there was a cover up.

Gardaí initiated a cold case review two years ago and as part of that, the remains of Mr Nugent will be examined by forensic anthropologists to see if it alters or provides new leads in the investigation into his death.

Mr Nugent's brothers John and Martin have welcomed the move hoping it can shed new light on what has been a long and tortuous legal process to get justice for their brother.