Ireland Ireland- Patrick Nugent, 23, chef/banquet manager, mysteriously & fatally injured after wedding function, County Clare, 11/2/84, *Reopened/exhumation*

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Body of banqueting manager will be exhumed today as cold case is reopened

body of banqueting manager exhumed

www.limerickpost.ie

By David Raleigh September 24, 2024

''The body of a Co Clare chef, whose family believe was murdered and the crime covered up, is being exhumed this Tuesday, a solicitor for the family said.​

Patrick Nugent, (23), from Feenagh, Sixmilebridge, County Clare, died mysteriously on February 11th, 1984, after he was found critically injured, near Bunratty Castle and Folk Park in County Clare.''
'Mr Nugent had been overseeing a wedding anniversary party held at the Bunratty Castle and Folk Park for the then head chef of Aer Rianta, and local man William Ryan and his wife, Chrissie.'

''Last January, Detective Inspector David Finnerty, Shannon Garda Station, said that 60 people attended the function in Bunratty on the night, with some still in attendance at 4am.

“There they found Patrick in a doorway which leads to the courtyard, he was injured, and in a distressed state,” said Det Garda Finnerty.

“Patrick received medical attention at the scene and was later transferred to Barrington’s Hospital in Limerick where, sadly, he was pronounced dead on arrival.”

Detective Inspector Finnerty said a post mortem examination conducted on Patrick Nugent’s body showed he had suffered “abdominal injuries which were consistent with crushing”.

Mr Nugent suffered a collapsed liver, internal bleeding, as well as lacerations to the lower lumbar spinal region.''

 

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Fresh Investigation Launched Into Circumstances Of Patrick Nugent's Death - Clare FM

A fresh investigation has been launched into the death of a Clare man who passed away 40 years ago as a result of injuries sustained during an incident in Bunratty. Gardaí have confirmed that the exhumation of the remains of Patrick Nugent commenced this morning, as part of a new investigation...

www.clare.fm

''In the early hours of the following morning, at approximately 4am, when Gardaí say around a dozen people remained at the event, an incident occurred in the carpark, during which Patrick sustained serious injuries.

After receiving First Aid CPR at the scene, he was transferred by ambulance to Barrington’s Hospital in Limerick where he passed away as a result of injuries sustained during the incident.

Following a Garda investigation, a man was charged in connection with Patrick’s death, but was later acquitted and cleared of all charges.

To date, no other person has been charged in relation to his death.

The Jury at a Coroner’s Inquest, which took place in October 1985, returned a verdict of accidental death, but attached a rider stating they were “far from satisfied as to the circumstances under which Patrick Nugent sustained the injuries which caused his death”, and called on the then Minister for Justice to have the matter further investigated.''

Aug 1, 2024 RADIO ESPIAL
''On Friday, February 10th 1984, a party was held in “The Barn” in Bunratty Folk Park, Co. Clare, to celebrate the 40th wedding anniversary of William & Chrissie Ryan. William Ryan was a well-known chef in the area and held a prominent position as Head Chef for Aer Rianta in Shannon Airport.Patrick Nugent, aged 23, from Sixmilebridge, Clare, was the banquet manager for the event on the night and had responsibility for the party’s smooth running.Born in 1960 on a family farm, Patrick had left school and soon after trained as a chef under Will Ryan at Bunratty Castle. Ultimately, Patrick decided the chef life as a career was not for him, but his passion and love of the catering and event industry brought him back to Bunratty Castle.The events of Friday, February 10th 1984 are, at best, bizarre, and troubling. Frankly, it reads like an Agatha Christie mystery novel. Who was still there when the death occurred, was it an accident, assault that got out of hand, who moved the body and why, and did the presence of wealthy people and two policemen as guests lead to a decades-long cover-up of what really transpired that night?''