Thurles Information

Today a second iteration of the database of information on unidentified human remains, provided by coroners around the country, has been published. The database can be found online HERE.

Database information on unidentified human remains for Co. Tipperary relate currently to two sites, with 6 cases, in total, highlighted. One of these sites named is a very old graveyard, so findings while worthy of note, are not hardly surprising.

Visual records on the database, including some facial images and items found with remains, have now been included, where they have been provided by coroners, for the first time.

Coroners have been asked to include, in their 2023 return, visuals of distinctive items such as jewellery, clothing, tattoos etc., found with or on unidentified remains.

The Department of Justice received visual detail from four coronial districts comprising three facial images (inclusive of one facial reconstruction image) and two visuals of items found with the remains.

One new return in respect of partial remains; a skull fragment, discovered in Tra Ciaran, North Harbour, Cape Clear, Co Cork, on the 11th December 2021, (latter confirmed to be human remains) on the 30th October 2023, was made for 2023.

The database now contains details of 26 unidentified full remains, 20 unidentified partial remains and 16 historical remains.

The first iteration of the database was launched on 16th May 2023, following compilation and publication of the database for the first time.

As the data on unidentified human remains was being compiled, it emerged that a number of remains detailed on the database did not have corresponding DNA samples on the National DNA Database.

As DNA profiles are generated and uploaded onto the database, they will be regularly checked against all profiles of unidentified remains in the hope of locating a DNA match and establishing an identification.

Given the complexities associated with historical remains, this process is expected to take some time to complete. Three exhumations have been carried out to date and DNA samples has been extracted from two remains. Unfortunately, it has not yet been possible to identify the remains, but enquiries are ongoing into these and a number of other cases.

Gardaí from the Tipperary Divisional Drugs Unit have seized an estimated €65,000 worth of cannabis herb and arrested a man, following a joint operation involving the Garda National Drugs and Organised Crime Bureau, and Revenue.

The operation was carried out on Friday last, June 7th 2024, following a search conducted at a property in Thurles, Co. Tipperary.
Over 3kg of cannabis was located at the searched location, (pending analysis), together with other drug paraphernalia.

A man aged in his 20s was arrested at the scene by Gardaí and detained at a Tipperary Garda station under Section 2 of the Criminal Justice (Drug Trafficking Act) 1996.
He was later charged and will appear before the Courts at a later date.