Gardaí have confirmed that the body of Raphoe cattle dealer, Richie Barron, is to be exhumed from the local cemetery tomorrow. He died on 14 October, 1996. It was originally thought that the 54-year-old was the victim of a hit and run, but Gardaí later launched a murder investigation. No one was ever charged with Mr Barron's murder, but the Garda investigation into his death became the subject of an internal Garda inquiry into wide-ranging allegations against certain Gardaí in the county.
The Carty Inquiry examined allegations of harassment by members of another Raphoe family, the McBreartys, some of whom were questioned in connection with the death of Mr Barron. 160 charges against the McBreartys, alleging breaches of the licensing laws, public order and traffic offences were suddenly dropped shortly after an interim report by the Carty team. The full report of the Carty Inquiry was sent to the Garda Commissioner last July, but was never published. One Garda has been charged with a firearms offence and five civilians have been charged with making false statements to Gardaí.
Chief Superintendent Nacie Rice told RTÉ News that there has always been a question mark over the cause of Mr Barron's death and the Gardaí endeavour to establish the cause of death. It is understood that, following the exhumation from St Eunan's in Raphoe tomorrow morning, the State pathologist, Professor John Harbison, will carry out a post-mortem on the Mr Barron's body.
