Skeleton find was woman buried at sea
Gardai confirm identity of remains
GARDAI have confirmed skeletal remains found on the coast last month were those of a woman who had been buried at sea.
The discovery was made on September 19 when walkers reported finding a body on rocks at Poulsallagh near Fanore, Co Clare.
Gardai responded to the call and requested assistance from the Irish Coast Guard.
The remains, understood to be an almost intact skeleton, were removed to Doolin Coast Guard station before being transported to University Hospital Limerick for a postmortem.
A pathologist immediately confirmed a postmortem had previously been carried out on the body and gardai began working on the theory the remains had been buried at sea.
Following DNA analysis, it was established the body was that of a Co Clare woman who died in late December 2016 and had been given a sea funeral at her own request.
Superintendent John Galvin said: “The remains were those of a woman from the county who was buried at sea off the West coast.”
He confirmed contact has been made with the deceased’s family who are understood to be making alternative arrangements.
In Ireland, there is no legislation governing burials at sea. The Merchant Shipping (Salvage and Wreck) Act (1993) enables the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport to make regulations regarding the burial of human remains at sea.
While no such regulations have been made to date, the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport has developed voluntary guidelines for those considering it.
These rules are based on experience and seek to prevent distressing events such as a body being returned to shore.
The woman passed away at the end of 2016. She had a sea funeral off the West coast SUPT JOHN GALVIN YESTERDAY