Gardaí prepare file for DPP after body exhumed without permission

GARDAÍ confirmed yesterday they are preparing a file for the DPP about the digging up of the remains of a pensioner and his reburial in Patrickswell.

Pensioner Josie Graham, 95, who died on February 22, 2009, was buried in a plot at Clounanna cemetery, a few miles from the village where he lived all his life.

During the early hours of February 26, his remains were exhumed without the necessary legal permission and reburied in St Mary’s cemetery in Patrickswell.

The plot in which he was originally buried is owned by the McDermot family, who run a shop in the village.

Insp Brendan McDonagh of Roxboro Road Garda Station said they carried out an investigation into the matter.

He said: “We have spoken to a number of people and a file is being prepared for the DPP. It won’t be a very big file and we expect to have it finalised and sent to the DPP within the next week.

“We don’t see anything sinister in this, but it was the way it was dealt with,” Insp McDonagh added.

The gardaí and the county council have to be notified when an exhumation is sought.

But the authorities only learned of the exhumation of Mr Graham’s remains and reburial when it became public knowledge and aroused a lot anger and resentment in Patrickswell.

Insp McDonagh said they will await the decision of the DPP.

It is believed that Mr Graham’s grave at Clounanna was dug up early on the morning of February 26.

The new grave where the remains were moved to in St Mary’s Cemetery was purchased in Mr Graham’s name from the council recently.

The purchase was made by an undertaker who has been interviewed as part of the investigation.

A member of the McDermott family said they only found out about the exhumation when told by customers at their shop.