Unidentified Human Remains at the Cliffs of Moher, Co. Clare

Gardaí at Ennistymon Garda Station are investigating three separate incidents involving the discovery of unidentified human remains off the Cliffs of Moher.

Incident 1: On the 30th July 2010 the Irish Coast Guard based at Doolin recovered the remains of an unknown male. The search team believed the body may have been in the water for approximately ten days. The body was badly decomposed and eventually removed to Limerick Regional Hospital.

No distinguishing features were found on the body and the only items of clothing recovered were socks and shoes, images of which are reproduced below.

Black shoesand socks

Black-shoes-and-socks On the 13th August 2014, an orthodontist who examined the teeth expressed an opinion that there had been some dental work carried out, most likely in mainland Europe. Body samples were taken and a DNA profile of the deceased was circulated through Interpol with a view to establishing the identity of the body. To date this has been unsuccessful.

A post mortem examination carried out on the 2nd September 2014 indicated that the body was that of a white, adult male. The man was 5’ 10” in height with dark hair and a short dark moustache and beard. There were no tattoos or scars visible on the body.

The County Coroner arranged for scans of the body to be forwarded to the Centre for Anatomy and Human Identification at the University of Dundee for craniofacial reconstruction. The resultant images (see above) were then circulated throughout Europe in an effort to identify the deceased but to date there has been no positive identification.

Incident 2: On 14th August 2016 human remains believed to be that of a female were discovered at Doonagore, Doolin by the Burren sub aqua unit who were training in the area.

The remains were then recovered by the Irish Coast Guard and transferred to Limerick mortuary for a post mortem examination. A DNA profile was created and circulated through Interpol with a view to establishing the identity of the body but to date this has been unsuccessful.

The only details that may assist in identifying the female relate to clothing recovered with the remains.

Details of clothing:

Partial clothing on the body included what appeared to be denim jeans bearing the label Esmara, and another item of clothing which was purple in colour bearing a tag with 40/42 size on it. Esmara clothing label is sometimes carried by Lidl. A black belt with woven pattern was recovered and is reproduced below.

Details-of-clothing Incident 3: On October 4th 2018, shortly before 5pm humans remains believed to be that of a female were discovered in the water off the Cliffs of Moher.

The Irish Coast Guard recovered the remains and transferred them to Limerick mortuary for a post mortem examination. A DNA sample was taken in order to establish a match but as of yet no match has been found.

The Coroner was however able to establish a description of the female which is as follows:

Asian female 5’8’’ in height
Slim build
Age estimated 50 – 55 years
No tattoos, but with one vertical scar on the midriff.

In addition to this description there were also a number of jewellery items found on the body, images of which are reproduced below.

Gold ring with the words “Caby” on the inside AND gold ring with green stones

Gold-ring-with-the-words-“Caby”-on-the-inside-AND-gold-ring-with-green-stones Gold Bracelet AND discoloured gold ring comprising of non-uniform circular segments

Gold-Bracelet-AND-discoloured-gold-ring-comprising-of-non-uniform-circular-segments Garda appeal:

Gardaí are appealing for the public's assistance to identify these individuals. So if you think you may know their identity or can assist in any way, please do so.

Gardaí Ennistymon Garda Station are investigating tel: 0657072180