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Village sergeant tells cold case trial of deputising wife to accompany him to body scene

Summary

In the Central Criminal Court trial of Noel Long, retired Garda sergeant John B O'Sullivan, aged 83, recounted the discovery of a woman's body in Shippool Woods, Cork, on 12 June 1981. O'Sullivan was the sole Garda on duty at Inishannon station when forestry workers John Collins and Denis McSweeney arrived in a tractor at about 3 pm, reporting a suspicious find that turned out to be a body. He deputised his wife to accompany him to the scene, where they found a 54‑year‑old woman, later identified as Nora Sheehan, lying on her right side with her head covered by a blue floral dress. O'Sullivan noted a stench, blue bottles, a cut to the neck, a bandage on the left hand, and nylon tights on the left foot. He used a hurley to clear briars, avoided disturbing potential evidence, and later contacted Bandon Gardaí. Noel Long pleaded not guilty.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Village sergeant tells cold case trial of deputising wife to accompany him to body scene. Charges or matters: murdering 54-year-old Nora Sheehan between June 6 and June 12, 1981 at an unknown place within the State. Procedural stage: trial

When:

• Friday June 12, 1981 Hearing Or Sentence
• June 6 Other
• June 12, 1981 Other
• 2023-07-14 Publication

Case subjects

Places mentioned

Topics

Stage Trial

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Read the original CNI report