Identity of female remains unknown
Gardaí are determined to formally identify the deceased and treat her with the respect and dignity she deserves.
That’s what An Garda Síochána said as details were revealed this week about the skeletal remains found on the Midleton to Youghal Greenway.
The remains were found at a construction site at the beginning of January. Forensic examinations suggest that they are that of a female who was 70 plus years old at the time of her death as well as 5’ to 5’ 2” in height.
She was large framed, wore dentures and suffered from arthritis.
DNA samples have been compared against the national database and a positive match has not been found. Examinations of missing person’s records have not identified any potential matches either.
A spokesperson for An Garda Síochána said: “The investigation is ongoing and further scientific resources, including carbon dating have been engaged as part of the investigation. An Garda Síochána is appealing to the public for any information, no matter how small, they might have to help.”
The spokesperson continued: “Someone in the community must know how the female skeletal remains came to be at this locally known tipping point off the Shanty Path.
“An Garda Síochána want to provide closure for a family that, at this early stage, remain unknown and ensure that the remains are brought to a final resting place,” the spokesperson concluded.
The investigation
At 5pm on Tuesday 5 January 2021, gardaí were notified by construction workers to the scene of a suspected human skull found at the construction site.
The scene was preserved and the coroner was contacted. State Pathologist Dr Margaret Bolster carried out an on-site examination and subsequently completed a post mortem at CUH.
The scene was also examined by a forensic anthropologist, and Garda Scenes of Crime examiners.
An incident room was established at Midleton Garda Station and a senior investigating officer was appointed to oversee the investigation.
The area was extensively searched in challenging weather conditions over the following nine days by members of the Cork North Divisional Search Team.
During the course of that search, a complete skeletal remains were located.
An item of clothing was also recovered which is described as a white nightdress type garment.
House to house enquiries have been undertaken in the local area, local missing person records have been reviewed as have missing person records retained by the Garda National Missing Persons Unit.
Any person with information should contact Midleton Garda Station on 021-4621550, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800-666 11 or any garda station.