Date of Discovery: September 23, 2021
Location of Discovery: St Stephens Hospital, Sarsfield Court, Glanmire, Co Cork, Ireland
Estimated Date of Death: Same day.
State of Remains: Recognizable face.
Cause of Death: Natural causes
Estimated Age: 80-90 years old
Race: Unknown
Sex: Male
Height: Unknown
Weight: Unknown
Hair Color: Unknown
Eye Color: Unknown
Distinguishing Marks/Features: Mental illness, along with physical health conditions. He was reported to be living "a hermit's life" and sleeping rough in a bus shelter with a dog whom he said he had "on loan". He also referred to living in Dublin "for years".
Dentals: Unknown
Fingerprints: Unknown
DNA: Available
Clothing: Unknown
Jewelry: Unknown
Additional Personal Items: Unknown
An elderly man who remained unidentified in a psychiatric hospital here for 30 years has died and a DNA sample taken post-mortem is now being used in a bid to identify him.
Believed to be aged in his eighties or nineties, the man died at the hospital, which cannot be identified by High Court order, on September 23rd.He was made a ward of court in May 2020 because his health was declining.
He was first admitted to the hospital after being taken there by gardaí in the mid 1980s.
At some point after his admission, he was given a name and estimated date of birth of 1930. Despite some efforts to establish his true identity and find a next of kin, he essentially remained a 'John Doe'. He had a history of mental illness, along with physical health conditions.
The wardship application was initiated by the HSE because his physical health was deteriorating and he had had a number of hospital admissions.
Post Mortem performed on September 25, 2021. He's resting at St Finbarr's Cemetary, Glasheen, Co Cork.
Agency Name: Cork South Coroner
Agency Contact Person: Mr. Frank O'Connell
Agency Phone Number: +353 21 4278088
Agency E-Mail: frankoconnell@cfoconnell.ie
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
Gov.ie - Unidentified human remains
The Irish Times - Fri Dec 3 2021
Added: 6/11/23; Last Updated: 6/11/23
Questions or comments? Please contact appropriate member of the Area Team
** Listed information may be estimated.
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