Unidentified Human Remains –Dollymount Strand Clontarf Dublin 3

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The Gardaí at Clontarf Station, are investigating the discovery of unidentified human remains of a man located at Dollymount Strand,Clontarf,Dublin 3.

BACKGROUND:

On 11th February 1994, the remains of the unknown male were found floating in the water at Dollymount Strand, close to the Wooden bridge and the statue of Our Lady. The remains were in a state of decomposition, making identification impossible.

A post-mortem was carried out at the time, and dental records taken indicated his age to be between 45-55 years. It was believed the man had been in the water for several weeks. Despite circulation of his details through Interpol and local media the man’s identity was never been established. Just over a year later on 24 February 1995 the coroner returned a verdict of death by drowning.

CURRENT INVESTIGATION:

During May 2023, the Department of Justice launched an initiative to identify a number of Unidentified Human Remains due to technical advances in DNA in recent years.

In October 2023, the man’s remains which had been buried in Glasnevin Cemetery, were exhumed in order to retrieve a DNA sample. Dr Laureen Buckley, Forensic Anthropologist, conducted the examination and provided some bone samples, which were sent to Forensic Science Ireland (FSI).

Dr Stephen Clifford (FSI) was able to retrieve a DNA profile. This profile was uploaded to the National and European databases, but unfortunately this didn’t yield a match. It was then that Sergeant Geraldine Ross, (Clontarf Station), decided to explore developing a facial reconstruction from the skull.

The skull was subsequently brought to the Mater hospital in Dublin where a radiologist conducted a CT scan of the skull. The scan was then sent to Professor Caroline Wilkinson, Director of Forensic Research at Liverpool John Moore’s University, where the team produced a facial reconstruction.

Description:

Height - 5’10 to 6’
Caucasian
Build - Medium to heavy
At least middle aged
Smoker
Right-handed
Healed vertebrae injury (that may have been the cause of some early arthritis in their back)

Clothing/belongings:

Charcoal pin stripe suit
White shirt
Bright multi coloured tie
Italian slip-on size eight shoes with the Patrizio label.
Pope John Paul II medal
Miraculous medal and religious items relating to St Bernadette and St Anthony were found in his pocket.