Unidentified Male Body, Bracetown, Co. Meath 18/4/91

Gardaí at Trim station are seeking the public’s assistance in identifying the body of a man found at a former council yard at Bracetown, Ratoath, Co. Meath on the 18 April 1991.

The remains of the deceased man were found by council workers in the early morning as they began work for the day. The workers informed the authorities and upon investigation it was established that the man’s death wasn’t suspicious nor was there any foul play suspected. 

Unfortunately the man did not have any documentation that would allow for his identification. Sergeant Alan Dowley, (Retired), led the investigation to identify the deceased man and return him to family and loved ones. Unfortunately the man’s identity was not established and he was buried at a St. Mary’s cemetery at Navan, Co Meath. 

A fresh review of the case was conducted by Gardai in early 2021 which led to an exhumation being performed last August, in the hope of retrieving a DNA profile for comparison. Unfortunately, a DNA sample could not be generated. Numerous witnesses were re-interviewed but despite extensive efforts made by local Gardaí in conjunction with the Garda Missing Persons Bureau, the man has still not been identified. 

A portrait artist was subsequently tasked with producing a sketch of the man’s face based on photographs taken at the time. The man is described as follows: 

• Approx. 5’5 in height
• Approx. 45 to 55 years old
• Medium Build
• Approx. 8st to 10st Weight
• Light Brown Hair, receding on Forehead and grey on sides
• Brown Eyes 

Clothing;

• Grey Herringbone Tweed Jacket
• Label ‘Taldy Madrid’
• White ‘Luigi Rossi’ Shirt
• A red vest
• Grey Trousers with ‘C&A Label (Size 46)
• Black Leather Zip Up Boots (Size 8)
• 20 Pence in coins in Pocket with a St Christopher Medal 

Garda Appeal: 

• This is not a criminal investigation – It is to identify this man and notify his loved ones
• Body exhumed from the cemetery in Navan on 25/8/21, whilst Gardaí have so far been unable to generate a DNA sample, it was established that the deceased may have had an issue with his right knee which may have caused him pain or discomfort and he may have had a limp.
• He may be either Irish or from the UK. Interviews taken during the course of the investigation suggest that he may have been from Liverpool or Scotland but Gardaí are keeping an open mind on this.
• It maybe that something brought him to this area, be it a family member or childhood connection.
• Gardaí also believe that he may have been in the area sleeping rough for up to a week prior to being discovered. 

Trim Garda Station, investigating tel: (046) 948 1540