The family of the late Patrick Nugent is calling for an overhaul of the criminal justice system to improve the protection of victims.
The 23-year-old banqueting manager died in mysterious circumstances at Bunratty Castle & Folk Park in February 1984.
No one has been convicted in relation to his death.
A Garda cold case investigation into Patrick’s passing is underway, though his family continues to call for an independent body to be investigating the circumstances surrounding his death, outside of An Garda Síochána.
Patrick’s sister-in-law Deirdre says more assistance for families in similar circumstances to them is needed as a priority.
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Statement from An Garda Síochána
A Garda investigation into the death of Patrick Nugent is active and ongoing under a Senior Investigating Officer in the Clare Garda Division.
An Garda Síochána continues to appeal to anyone who may have any information on the death of Patrick Nugent to contact the Garda investigation team at Shannon Garda Station 061 365900 or the Garda Confidential Line 1800 666 111.
An Garda Síochána has no further comment.
Statement from Department of Justice:
The Department and the Minister fully appreciate the desire of Patrick Nugent’s family to understand the circumstances which led to his death, and acknowledge that the wait for answers is very difficult for all involved.
Judge Clyne completed his inquiry on 31 October 2020 and the Department received his report on 3 November 2020. The advice of the Attorney General was sought regarding next steps, including on the matter of publication of the final report. On 8 October 2021, Department officials met with the family of Patrick Nugent to update the family generally as to next steps and to explain legal difficulties regarding publication of the final report, namely that publication at this time could prejudice matters arising from Garda investigations.
The family were informed that the Minister had provided an unredacted copy of the report to the Garda Commissioner on 9 September to decide what further action, if any, should be taken by An Garda Síochána in the light of the Judge’s findings. The Garda Commissioner has instructed that a fresh investigation be undertaken into the matters which Judge Clyne determined required further investigation.
It is open to anyone to seek a meeting with the Minister for Justice through the Minister’s Office.
However, it should be noted that the Garda Commissioner is operationally independent of the Minister in his role and the Minister also does not have any role in this, or any, criminal investigation.
Insofar as any form of further inquiry that might be considered as an alternative to the cold case review being undertaken by the Commissioner, it should be noted that any alternative investigation by a body other than An Garda Síochána would not have the same criminal investigatory powers.
