1723UFIRL - Unidentified Female

Old-style night dress worn by the unidentified female.

Date of Discovery: January 5, 2021
Location of Discovery: Roxboro, Midleton, Co Cork
Estimated Date of Death: Unknown
State of Remains: Skeletal remains
Cause of Death: Unknown

Physical Description

Estimated Age: Approximately 70 years +
Race: Unknown
Sex: Female
Height: Approximately 5'0 to 5'2" (152 to 157 cm)
Weight: Large framed/build
Hair Color: Unknown
Eye Color: Unknown
Distinguishing Marks/Features: Arthritis

Identifiers

Dentals: Wore dentures
Fingerprints: Not available
DNA: Available

Clothing & Personal Items

Clothing: A white, old-style night dress that was 127cm in length. Flat black shoes.
Jewelry: Unknown
Additional Personal Items: Coffin handles and a crucifix, dentures

Circumstances of Discovery

Garda in Midleton, Co. Cork are investigating the discovery of remains that were discovered by workers at a construction site on the Midleton to Youghal Greenway, just off the Shanty Path at Roxborough, Midleton, Co. Cork on Tuesday 5 January 2021.
On the date in question, building workers from Cork County Council were clearing an area just off the railway which had been used as an illegal dumping ground for a number of years. This area was not accessible as a walkway and it was overgrown with shrubbery trees and weeds. The workers were in the process of clearing the site with a digger on 5th January 2021 and at approximately 4.30 - 5pm they discovered the human remains.

An extensive Garda investigation is currently under way lead by Superintend Adrian Gamble. A full post mortem was carried out. DNA samples were obtained but when set against the National DNA Database, a match was NOT obtained. The services of the Missing Persons Unit and the Garda National Protective Services Bureau were engaged. Items of evidence are currently being examined by a Forensic Scientist. Carbon dating and all available scientific resources have been engaged as part of the investigation.

Possibly the remains of a coffin (crucifix). Remains appear to have been exhumed and disposed of on old railway line. Gardaí believe the woman was from the Cork or the south Munster area.

Despite a two-year investigation and a comparison of the skeleton's DNA against the National DNA Database, detectives have not been able to confirm an identity for the woman who was aged in her 70s when she died.

A number of theories are still being considered, including that she was the focus of an illegal exhumation after a possible family feud over a grave plot or inheritance. Another theory is that the woman may have died in someone else's care and that, for some reason, it was decided to bury her secretly before her body was moved to the abandoned railway line. Detectives have already canvassed funeral directors and graveyard caretakers in the greater east Cork area in an attempt to discover how the elderly woman's remains ended up by the railway line. They specifically asked about any unusual activity surrounding graves or graveyards between five and ten years ago. Gardaí have appealed for information about the woman's identity, with detectives convinced that someone in the area has vital information. Investigating garda are continuing to appeal to the public for assistance in bringing this case to a conclusion, a spokesperson said. She was in her 70s at the time of her death, was 152cm to 157cm in height, had a large frame or build, wore dentures and her joints indicated she suffered from arthritis. The woman's body may have lain by the railway embankment for between five and ten years. Small pieces of timber and an old crucifix recovered at the site may have originated from a coffin. Gardaí have obtained a genetic profile, dental analysis, carbon dating and forensic results from old clothing and a piece of religious jewelery found at the site. False teeth were also found at the site. Detectives worked through a 30-year record of missing persons to narrow their search. National missing persons files were also cross-referenced with the search extended beyond Cork county. However, garda do not have any matching missing person file from the local area that matches the deceased.

Investigating Agency(s)

Agency Name: Midleton Garda Station
Agency Contact Person: N/A
Agency Phone Number: +353 21 462 1550
Agency E-Mail: Contact form 
Agency Case Number: N/A

Agency Name: Missing Persons Unit
Agency Contact Person: Sergeant Carmel Griffin
Agency Phone Number: +353 1 666 9476
Agency E-Mail: missing_persons@garda.ie 
Agency Case Number: N/A

NCIC Case Number: N/A
NamUs Case Number: N/A
Former Hot Case Number: N/A

Information Source(s)

Garda
Gov.ie - Unidentified human remains
The Irish Independent - Feb. 7, 2023

Admin Notes

Added: 6/25/2023; Last Updated: 2/18/2024