The family of a man who died in mysterious circumstances have said they will not be engaging with a cold case team who are re-examining his death as they want an independent investigation carried out instead.
Pat Nugent was working as banqueting manager at Bunratty Castle in Co Clare when he was found dead at the tourist spot in 1984.
His family were initially told by gardai he died of a heart attack – but were later informed he had been hit by a car.
READ MORE: Family of Irishman who died in mysterious circumstances hit out at delay over Garda probe report
An inquiry into the Garda actions on the night and subsequent investigation was completed and criticised in an unpublished report by retired Judge Patrick Clyne.
In February, Minister for Justice Helen McEntee told Mr Nugent’s family that Garda Commissioner Drew Harris had ordered a fresh investigation into certain matters raised by Judge Clyne.
The report was not published by the Minister as she said it might potentially prejudice the new Garda investigation.
The late chef’s sister-in-law Deirdre Nugent said the family don’t want “guards investigating guards” again and called for an outside agency to look at the case.
Speaking to the Irish Sunday Mirror, she said: “We wrote to the Minister and to the Commissioner saying that we had a number of issues with there being a cold case investigation and mainly being the independence of it.
“You are going back to guards investigating guards again and we weren’t happy about that.
“We said that we either want a public enquiry, similar to what they did with Maurice McCabe, or we want there to be a commission of investigation so that people have to answer questions.
“It would mean that we would be represented and that we can look for answers and failing that we want an outside agency, someone from the UK or France or Spain or anywhere other than Ireland.
“Ireland is just a village and with the guards, their children tend to go into the guards, or nieces or nephews or their grandkids.
“As guards are stationed all around the country at different times I would nearly say that there isn’t a guard that doesn’t know somebody who knows a guard in another station.
“Our concern is that we want Pat’s death investigated but we don’t see how that can be done independently by the Cold Case team.”
At the time of his death Pat, from Sixmilebridge in Co Clare, was working at an event to celebrate the 40th wedding anniversary of Bunratty head chef William Ryan.
The party was breaking up at around 4am on February 10 when kitchen staff heard moans and rushed to find the 23-year-old lying on the ground.
William Ryan was subsequently accused of manslaughter, dangerous driving and leaving the scene of an accident.
However, the manslaughter charge was subsequently withdrawn and he was acquitted of the other charges.
Mr Ryan, who is now deceased, told a coroner’s inquest into Mr Nugent’s death that if there was forensic evidence his car hit Mr Nugent, he would accept it.
However, he denied he had anything to do with the death.
Two off-duty gardaí were at the party when Mr Nugent suffered his fatal injuries.
Judge Clyne also examined internal Garda disciplinary inquiries in the years afterwards.
Ms Nugent also hit out at the fact that despite the family’s concerns, a cold case investigation has already begun.
She went on: “The investigation has started, in the last few weeks. We haven’t met with them.
“Even ploughing ahead with the investigation and not having the courtesy or respect to even address what our concerns are, there’s been nothing.
“It’s very hard for them to expect us to engage with them when they won’t engage with us.”
A spokesman for the Department of Justice said a statutory inquiry under section 42 of the Garda Siochana Act 2005 was conducted by former Judge Patrick Clyne into An Garda Síochana’s investigation relating to the death of Mr Patrick Nugent in 1984.
He added: “The judge 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 the legal difficulties regarding publication of the final report.
“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 Síochana 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.
“Insofar as any alternative forms of further inquiry might be considered as alternatives to the cold case review being undertaken by the Commissioner, it should be noted that none of the proposed alternatives would have the criminal investigatory powers of An Garda Síochana.”
READ NEXT:
- Dead man found in Dublin caravan park believed to be serial sex offender
- Ireland weather: Hot spell incoming as Met Eireann forecast exact date temperatures to hit high 20s
- Love Island winner Ekin-Su totally unrecognisable as she competes as Miss Ireland in new uncovered picture
- Irish thug who chopped up man's body with chainsaw released from prison
- Niall Horan and Lewis Capaldi surprise Dublin fans with busking session on Grafton Street
Get all the latest updates with the Irish Mirror newsletters
