Body on the beach identified – 18 years on

A human torso washed up on an Aran Island beach 18 years ago has finally been identified – thanks to advances in DNA technology.

Galway Coroner’s Court confirmed the remains as those of Mervyn Hardy of 32 Quarry Road, Belfast, who was last seen on January 23, 2001. His car was later found at the Cliffs of Moher.

Less than two months later, a torso – missing both lower limbs and one arm as well as its head – was found washed up on Frenchman’s Beach on Inis Mór.

At that time, there was the possibility that the torso could have been one of eight people or more missing from the area. Specimens were sent for analysis to the UK but no matches were found and even Mr Hardy’s family were ruled out at the time.

However, in the light of advances in DNA testing, samples were retested and a positive match was made with his four siblings.

For more, read this week’s Connacht Tribune.

Get the Connacht Tribune Live app

The Connacht Tribune Live app is the home of everything that is happening in Galway City and county. It’s completely FREE and features all the latest news, sport and information on what’s on in your area. Click HERE to download it for iPhone and iPad from Apple’s App Store, or HERE to get the Android Version from Google Play.