The remains of Leitrim pensioner Liam Farrell have been exhumed by Gardaí, following a new investigation into his death.
This was launched by the garda cold case unit into the suspicious circumstances surrounding his death, which marks a huge development into this investigation into his death over six years ago. The new probe was ordered by the newly appointed Garda Commissioner Justin Kelly.
Earlier this morning, members of the garda Serious Crime Review Team (SCRT), who were equipped with a small digger, moved into Cloonmorris cemetery in the Bornacoola parish, where the late Liam Farrell was buried in January 2020.
These remains will be examined by a forensic anthropologist to determine if Mr Farrell had suffered any broken bones or any other injuries consistent with an assault. A blue tent has been placed over the grave where Mr Farrell was buried next to his late wife Maureen, who died in 2002. The operation is expected to take several hours.
Prior to the exhumation taking place, local priest Fr Seán Burke said prayers over the grave, with State Pathologist Dr Linda Mulligan on site.
Sources have also said that garda detectives are expected to re-interview a number of individuals who last saw Farrell alive, and people who were not spoken to previously.
Gardaí also hope to ascertain vital DNA evidence off the clothing that Liam Farrell was wearing on the night he died, which may identify a potential suspect or suspects in this case. The clothing was only sent for forensic analysis to the State Forensic laboratory last year, having been in a garda evidence bag since 2020.
It is hoped that the process will be speeded up, given that a fresh investigation has been launched.
Mr Farrell's family, including his five children, have always believed that he was the victim of a violent assault, having been found unresponsive at the back of their family home near the village of Roosey in the Co Leitrim side of the River Shannon on 12 January 2020.
He was found covered in blood, along with extensive bruising, abrasions and lacerations to his face and body. Blood was also found along the door of the house, while a blood soaked towel was found close to the body. Blood was also found on the mop and the mop bucket.
One unexplained mystery is to how and why Mr Farrell's shoes and socks were taken off and put neatly close by his body. His jacket and overcoat was also removed and tucked under the body as if to provide him with comfort.
PSNI murder detective, James Brannigan, who conducted a review of the evidence available, also indicated that the body's positioning “may reflect care by a third party” or “post-event manipulation” of the crime scene by an assailant.
