Key role for bone expert in case of suspected murder

THE work of a bone specialist will form a key part of the Garda investigation into the suspected murder of a man who vanished more than 20 years ago.

An anthropologist is examining the partial remains of Brian McGrath, 43, which were exhumed from a grave in Co Westmeath early on Monday.

The father-of-four disappeared from his home in Coole, Co Westmeath, in March 1987.

Garda sources yesterday said they had identified the remains as those of Mr McGrath and the exhumation was carried out to allow the anthropologist and the state pathologist to conduct further tests.

Gardaí said Mr McGrath was beaten to death and his body burned before being buried in a field.

“The anthropologist can examine how bones were broken, how someone may have died and whether violence was used,” said one Garda source.

The state pathologist, Dr Marie Cassidy, is also carrying out tests. Reports from the two experts will form part of a file for the director of public prosecutions.

Gardaí are hopeful they will be able to prosecute two people suspected of murdering Mr McGrath.

Officers dug up the remains in 1993 after they received information directing them to a field at the back of the McGrath family home in Coole.

They arrested a woman and interviewed another man, thought to be an accomplice in Britain.

Sources revealed gardaí got an admission in relation to the killing but it was not enough for the DPP to recommend a prosecution.

A Garda source said this was because they could not identify the remains as being that of Mr McGrath in 1993. Recent DNA technology has enabled them to do so.

His remains were subsequently buried in Whitehall cemetery in nearby Castlepollard, but no gravestone was erected.

Garda sources said while the original admission still stood they would re-interview the suspects if new evidence emerged from the anthropologist or pathologist.