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SKELETAL REMAINS WASHED up in Co Clare last month have been confirmed as those of a woman who had been buried at sea.
Gardaí say that DNA analysis confirmed the identity of the woman and that her family has been informed.
On 19 September two walkers reported finding a body on rocks at Poulsallagh, near Fanore in north Clare.
Gardaí responded to the call and requested assistance from the Irish Coast Guard as the body was located on the shoreline.
The remains were recovered from the scene and removed to University Hospital Limerick for a post-mortem examination.
Following an initial examination it was confirmed that a post-mortem had previously been carried out on the body and gardaí began working on the theory that the person had been buried at sea.
Investigation concluded
It has since been established that the body was that of a woman who died in late 2016 and had been buried at sea off the west coast.
A Garda spokesman confirmed today that their investigation into the discovery has now concluded.
In Ireland, there is no legislation governing burials at sea. The Merchant Shipping (Salvage and Wreck) Act (1993) allows the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport to make regulations regarding the burial of human remains at sea.
While no such regulations have been made to-date, the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport has developed voluntary guidelines for those considering a burial at sea.
According to the department, these guidelines are based on previous experience and seek to prevent distressing situations such as where a body is returned to shore.
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Hi everyone, I’ve never posted a comment before as I like to read them but I would ask that a little respect for her as I knew her and her family. Her death was sudden and she was a lovely woman, so please be mindful of that when posting. Thank you
Hi everybody I’m just asking for a little bit of respect as I know the woman and her family, so please be mindful of that when you make a comment. She was a lovely woman and her death was sudden. Thank you
Do they put the remains back out or what? This is very interesting
@Ísla Carabine:
Wonder if they’re superstitious?
@Glascott Richard Symes: Surely it would be better to cremate first, then scatter the ashes on the water so that this situation doesn’t arise. What if the same thing happens again.
@Glascott Richard Symes: please tell me you’re joking.
I honestly didn’t know it was even an option here. Terrible for the family right now of course but it’s certainly sounds much more pleasant than being buried
@Avina Laaf: generally I’m not but I would be if this happened!
@Glascott Richard Symes: hang on! The coffin goes out to sea as well?!
Very disappointed with the comments. This women was an Irish citizen and obviously it was a wish to be buried at sea. It’s unfortunate that her remains were washed ashore, this must be heartbreaking for the family to have to deal with. My condolences to the family and friends.
@Donna: I agree Donna. Must be quite disturbing for the family after what happened :(
The coffin you use must be made of solid softwood and must not contain any plastic, lead, copper or zinc. It must have:
between 40 and 50 50mm (2 inch) holes drilled throughout
corners butt-jointed and strengthened with mild steel right angle brackets screwed internally, or substantial wooden bracing struts 50 x 38mm
about 200kg of iron, steel or concrete clamped to the base of the coffin with brackets of 10mm mild steel bar, or blocks of weak concrete mix
weight distributed evenly to prevent the coffin from turning to the vertical
2 long mild steel bands running from the top to the bottom of the coffin
several mild steel bands across the coffin at about 30cm intervals along its length
The coffin and any inner box or liner must be made from natural, non-toxic and biodegradable materials. They must both be able to withstand any impact and be able to carry the body quickly to the seabed.
The only time I have heard of anything similar to this was when some fishermen reckoned that a beam trawler had smashed up a coffin and let the remains up into the current/tide. It may also explain this. Beamers wreck the sea bed.
There are two issues here, first it must be incredibly upsetting and distressing for the family and all who know this woman and anyone would feel for them. Second issue is an environmental one and there are very good reasons why as a species we don’t just bury bodies where we feel like it. Imagine if the body was only a few weeks dead and few kids found it? Insane practise.
Can’t have bodies resurfacing and washing up because bodies are allowed to be buried at sea ,with regulations to protect the environment . You should only be buried at sea as a last resort and not as a choice
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