Gardaí seek public’s help in identifying four bodies found in Clare and Sligo

The four separate cases date between 2009 and 2018.

Gardaí have issued an appeal to public for help in identifying the remains of four people whose bodies were discovered off the west coast of Ireland between 2009 and 2018. The first appeal concerns the body of a woman recovered near Doolin in Clare on 14 August, 2016. The body was retrieved by a member of the Burren sub-aqua unit during the course of a training exercise. Following a post-mortem examination, foul play was ruled out and a DNA sample was harvested. Partial clothing on the body included denim jeans bearing the label 'Esmara'. Another item of clothing, purple in colour, bore a size tag of 40–42. A black belt with a woven pattern was also recovered. The deceased woman in question has never been identified and was buried on 3 January, 2018 at Drumcliffe Cemetery in Ennis. The second appeal from An Garda Síochána relates to the body of a man found floating in the water off the Cliffs of Moher on 30 July, 2010. Foul play was also ruled out in this case, following a post-mortem examination and the taking of a DNA sample. Clothing recovered on the body included black socks and black velcro-strapped runners that bore the label 'Indonesia and Budapest'. A craniofacial reconstruction was carried out and a subsequent image was produced by the University of Dundee in Scotland. The image was later distributed on an episode of RTÉ's Crimecall in October of 2014. Despite appeals, the man has yet to be identified. His remains were buried on 30 July, 2010 at Drumcliffe Cemetery in Ennis. The third appeal to the public concerns the body of a woman discovered floating in the water off the Cliffs of Moher on 4 October, 2018. As with the aforementioned cases, a post-mortem examination ruled out foul play and a DNA sample was taken. The deceased has been described by Gardaí as being an Asian woman, approximately five foot eight inches in height and of slim build. She was estimated to be aged in her early 50s. Three items of jewellery were recovered; a gold ring with the word 'Caby' inscribed on the inside, a second gold ring with green stones and a gold bracelet. The woman was buried on 2 April, 2020 at Drumcliffe Cemetery in Ennis. Anyone with information relating to any of the above cases is asked to contact Kilrush Garda Station on 065 908 0557, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111 or any Garda Station. A fourth appeal relates to a deceased man discovered on a beach at Rosses Point in Sligo on 16 June, 2009. This case will feature on episode two of Ireland's Unidentified Bodies, set to air on Virgin Media One at 10pm on Sunday, 31 October. A post-mortem examination ruled out foul play in this instance. During the course of Garda enquiries, it was established that the man had recently arrived in Sligo and had checked himself into a hotel under a false name – that of 'Peter Bergman' – on 12 June, 2009. He was sighted and captured on CCTV in and around the Sligo area for a number of days before his body was found at Rosses Point. Despite an exhaustive investigation, the man has never been properly identified. Items recovered on the rocks near where he was found included size 44 black leather Finn Comfort shoes manufactured in Germany in 2002, dark socks, a black leather C&A jacket, navy C&A chino trousers, a black sleeveless Tommy Hilfiger jumper and a black leather belt with the name of Key West USA, made in Italy. The man was later buried in an unmarked grave at Sligo Cemetery. Gardaí are seeking to bring this case to a conclusion. Anyone with relevant information is asked to make contact with Sligo Garda Station on 071 915 7000, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111 or any Garda Station. Images via An Garda Síochána