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Irish Mirror
Irish Mirror
National
Vinny Fanneran & Cian O'Broin

Garda mystery deepens after skull of man found in sleeping bag buried at derelict house

The search continues for one of Galway's biggest mysteries to identify and contact the family of man whose remains were discovered at a derelict property in Salthill.

On April 17, 2002, a property developer found the skull of a man wrapped in sleeping bag with a nylon rope, which was buried at a derelict house in Upper Salthill. The sleeping bag also had clothes, hair ties, boots and jewellery.

Digging further into the matter, gardai uncovered the still-unknown man's body in a small grave close by, as a 20 year mystery began, Galway Beo reported.

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Gardai found that the man came to Galway around 1998 but was last seen in the city in 1999. Their case also showed that the man was known in Galway as 'Dave the Busker' or 'Tang'.

They also understand that 'Dave', who was a regular sight around the town for his collie dog and his tin whistle and guitar playing.

The dog was licenced to a 'Dave Rawson' but Gardai do not think this was the man's actual name.

They were also informed that he carried a notebook laden with contacts, however this was never found.

It also came out that the man had a British accent and claimed to be from Kent, in the United Kingdom.

Locate International, who are a UK non-profit whose mission is identify John and Jane Does (unknown individuals) and reunite their remains with their families, think the man may have been married and may have originated from the Tunbridge Wells area of Kent.

It is also believed that he may have a sister who lives or lived, in Exeter.

"Anyone with any information that may help identify the man the investigation can contact An Garda Síochána in confidence on the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666111," gardaí have said.

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