The body of Patrick Nugent, who died in the early hours of February 11, 1984, following an event at Bunratty Folk Park in Co Clare, will be exhumed from his family grave in Co Clare on Tuesday, September 24.
Patrick Nugent's family strongly believes he was killed and that his murder was covered up, a statement from KRW Law, acting on behalf of Patrick's family, said on Monday.
Patrick's family has been fighting for over 40 years for justice, though no one has ever been convicted in connection with the killing.
In January of this year, An Garda Síochána launched a fresh investigation into Patrick's death. KRW Law said on Monday that as part of the renewed investigation, an exhumation will take place on Tuesday at the Nugent family grave in Co Clare.
The law firm noted on Monday that the Nugent family has been through a criminal trial; the outworkings of a Gardai disciplinary process; an inquest; a section 42 Gardai Inquiry following a miscarriage of justice investigation by the IRM together with a renewed criminal investigation after the Attorney General reviewed the findings of District Judge Patrick Clyne.
Speaking on the significance of the exhumation, Patrick's brothers John and Martin said on Monday: “After having some initial misgivings about the worthiness of any new investigation we want to put on record our appreciation of the work Gardaí have undertaken over the last few years. They have been proactive in their oversight and have kept us included at all stages of the investigation.
"That is especially the case with the exhumation of Patrick.
"Our decision to agree to this unusual and unique step wasn’t taken lightly. It’s really very poignant for us as a family to experience the disinterment of our brother's remains especially given the proximity of the grave to our family home.
"We accept that it’s for the best if the results can shed some additional light on what we already know.
"We have worked very closely with Gardaí and our solicitors on the complicated logistics involved in organizing this exhumation.
"Having agreed to go through with it we are all quietly hopeful that we might just get a breakthrough.”
Patrick Nugent died on February 11, 1984.
Kevin Winters, the family solicitor of KRW LAW Human Rights lawyers, added: "The Nugent family have been through a difficult and lengthy legal odyssey to get to this point. At times it’s been nothing short of tortuous.
"They have displayed remarkable patience with the legal and investigative system. That includes having to reluctantly accept the confidentiality of Judge Clynes's findings in order to preserve the integrity of this renewed investigation.
"What happened on that fateful night has never been resolved. That no one has ever been held to account after four decades remains a travesty of justice.
"We’ve engaged with Gardaí on both the sensitive logistics of the exhumation and its likely outworkings. We understand starting from early in the morning there will be a team of forensic experts tasked with examination of the remains.
"A key area will be the tests undertaken on bones to see if those results might alter hitherto settled narratives on the case.
"We hope those anthropological findings will provide new investigative leads for Gardaí in all their follow-up inquiries.
"In many ways, we hope this historic investigative milestone will pave the way for a renewed investigative strategy.
"After all this time it’s the least the family can expect to achieve.”
Patrick Nugent died on February 11, 1984.
Fresh investigation into the 1984 death of Patrick Nugent
In January of this year, An Garda Síochána announced a fresh investigation into the 1984 death of Patrick Nugent.
Announcing the fresh investigation, An Garda Síochána provided a timeline of the events on the night of Patrick's death.
On Friday, February 10, 1984, a party was held in 'The Barn' in Bunratty Folk Park, Co Clare, to celebrate the 40th wedding anniversary of William and Chrissie Ryan. William Ryan was well-known in the area and held a prominent position as Head Chef for Aer Rianta at Shannon Airport.
Patrick Nugent was the banquet manager for the event on the night and was responsible for the party’s smooth running.
Approximately 60 invited guests attended the party in 'The Barn.' Some of the guests parked their cars in a courtyard located directly opposite ‘The Barn’ while others utilized 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 3 am on February 11, 1984 the band stopped playing and guests began to leave.
At approximately 4 am, 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.
Upon the commencement of the fresh investigation in January, an incident room was established in Shannon Garda Station to investigate the matter.
Investigating Gardaí said in January that they were conscious that the original investigation was carried out almost 40 years ago. The investigation team is now re-examining and reviewing all available material and is utilizing modern-day investigative techniques.
It is hoped that with advances in technology, the investigation can be progressed and bring closure to the Nugent family.
The investigation team said in January that it was interviewing witnesses who attended the party.
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