The remains of local Leitrim man Liam Farrell have been exhumed by Gardaí, following a new investigation into his death.
This probe was launched by the garda cold case unit into the suspicious circumstances surrounding the pensioner's death, marking 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.
A forensic anthropologist will also examine these remains to determine if Mr Farrell had suffered any broken bones or any other injuries consistent with an assault.
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.
Prior to the exhumation taking place, local priest Fr Seán Burke said prayers over the grave, with State Pathologist Dr Linda Mulligan on site. 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.
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.
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.
It is hoped that the process will be speeded up, given that a fresh investigation has been launched.
His family, including his five children, have always believed that their father 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.
Mr Farrell 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.
PSNI murder detective, James Brannigan, who conducted a review of the evidence available for the family, 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.
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.
