Autopsy of Patrick Nugent completed in new investigation

The body of a man who died under unclear circumstances in County Clare 40 years ago is to be reburied following the completion of a new autopsy.

Patrick Nugent, 23, died in the early hours of February 11, 1984 after being found lying on the ground in a car park at Bunratty Folk Park.

He had worked as a banquet manager at a party in the tourist resort the previous evening.

Mr Nugent was given CPR at the scene and taken by ambulance to Barrington’s Hospital in Limerick, where he succumbed to his injuries.

A man was charged in connection with his death, but he was acquitted and cleared of all criminal charges.

Mr Nugent’s family believe he was killed, but no one has been convicted in his death.

His body was exhumed this week as part of a new investigation that will examine and re-examine all available material using modern investigative techniques.

On Thursday, Gardai announced that the autopsy had been completed and that arrangements were being made with his family and the coroner to re-inter his remains.

The results of the autopsy will not be published for operational reasons.

Gardai hope that the new autopsy, new interviews with 100 witnesses and advances in investigative techniques will bring new information to light.

An investigation team from the Garda Clare Division has been assembled under the leadership of a Senior Investigating Officer at Shannon Garda Station.

In October 1985, a commission of inquiry concluded that Patrick Nugent’s death had been accidental, but added that it was “far from satisfied with the circumstances in which Patrick Nugent sustained the injuries which led to his death.”

In 2014, the Government set up an independent investigative mechanism which considered Mr Nugent’s death and recommended the establishment of a special investigation.

In 2017, the government appointed Judge Patrick Clyne to conduct this inquiry, who reported to the Minister of Justice in 2020.

In 2022, Garda Commissioner Drew Harris launched an investigation into cold cases and on Tuesday Gardai announced a new investigation into Mr Nugent’s death.