No foul play in death of 17-year-old

GARDAÍ investigating the death of a 17-year-old man whose body was found in the garden of a house close to a beach in Waterford have ruled out foul play.

Last night, investigating superintendent Dave Sheahan said preliminary post-mortem results show that Patrick O’Regan from Lismore Park, Waterford, died as a result of severe trauma to his head, consistent with a heavy fall.

“Enquiries to date show that this youth and a number of his friends travelled from Waterford to the area of Woodstown beach at around 11pm on Friday.

“At about this time, a youth fitting the description of the deceased was assisted by road users on the roadway in the vicinity of Woodstown Beach.

“He appeared to be in a confused state,” he said.

He appealed to anyone who was in the area around Woodstown beach between 10.30pm on Friday and 5.40am on Saturday to contact Waterford Gardaí on [phone].

Mr O’Regan’s body was found on Saturday afternoon by a woman who returned to her home after a few days break.

Locals say the retired lady returned to her picturesque dormer home Woodstown Lodge, which adjoins the beach, on Saturday to find the youth in her back garden.

Gardaí were summoned at about 5.40pm and cordoned off the home and a section of grassy sand dunes close to the house.

A full technical examination of the scene continued all day yesterday.

The youth’s parents, Raymond and Lucy, were called to the scene yesterday morning where they identified the remains of their son.

His body was removed to the morgue at Waterford Regional Hospital at noon yesterday, where State pathologist Dr Marie Cassidy carried out a post mortem during the afternoon.