| Skeletons secret |
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| Tuesday, 19 August 2008 21:28 | |
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FOUL play has been ruled out in the case of two skeletons that were discovered buried in Quin last week. Garda’ had initially feared one of the remains might be that of a Ballykilty woman who disappeared 21 years ago. An archaeological team alerted the Garda after they discovered two skeltons in a shallow grave while conducting a survey for the development of Quin community centre. Further tests revealed the remains are more than a hundred years old and may even date back to Medieval times. The grim discovery was made behind the centre by the team working under archaeologist Edel Ruttle of TVAS (Ireland) Ltd, a Crusheen based archaeological consultancy company. TVAS director, Graham Hull, explained that the company Òis obliged to inform the garda’ when remains are found in these circumstances. He added that osteoarchaeologist Mara Tesorieri, who was onsite at the time, Òwas reasonably sure that these were antiquated remains but the garda’ had to be informed and a portion of jaw-bone was sent to the State Pathologist in Dublin for examination. An initial analysis by Tesorieri Òsuggests that one of the skeletons is that of a female aged over 45. It may be associated with the neighbouring St FineenÕs church and we think that itÕs possible the wall of the graveyard around the church may have been moved at some stage. Investigating garda’ first had to eliminate suspicion that the remains could be those of Mary Guire, a local woman who left her work in Knappogue castle in 1987 and was never seen again ÒOnce we were told that the remains were more than 100 years old, that would be the limit of garda involvement, said Inspector Tom Kennedy. Ger Buggy of the Quin community centre development committee, said that he is Òvery glad there was nothing untoward involved. The bodies have been covered over again. ÒWe had planned to put in a driveway but a report has been sent to the Department of the Environment and we are waiting to see if any further action is necessary, he added. |