Gardai carry out exhumation of body at Navan cemetery

Gardai carried out a "planned exhumation" earlier today at St Mary’s Cemetery, Navan as part of ongoing efforts to formally identify a man who died over 30 years ago.

It was hoped that the operation which began in the early hours of the morning would shed light on the identity of the man, whose body was found in Clonee in April 1991, with modern DNA techniques being used to assist identification.

A Garda spokesperson said: "A planned exhumation was carried out on Wednesday, 25th August, 2021 at St Mary’s Cemetery, Navan as part of ongoing efforts to formally identify a deceased male discovered near Clonee, Co Meath in 1991.

"The exhumation was carried out for the purposes of obtaining a DNA sample in the hope of identifying the deceased.

"On 18th April, 1991 the body of a man (50s) was discovered at Bracetown, Clonee, Co Meath. Following Garda enquires and a post-mortem examination, foul play was ruled out.

"Despite numerous appeals the deceased was never formally identified. He was later laid to rest at St Mary’s Cemetery, Navan. At a subsequent Coroner’s Inquest a verdict of death was recorded in accordance with medical evidence.