Retired garda sergeant John B O’Sullivan testified at the trial of Noel Long, who is accused of murdering Nora Sheehan, regarding the discovery of Sheehan’s body 42 years ago. O’Sullivan recounted how two forestry workers, John Collins and Denis McSweeney, initially mistook the body for a dead pig when they stumbled upon it during their search for dumped rubbish in a rural woodland. O’Sullivan, the only garda on duty, deputized his wife to accompany him to the scene.
The incident took place on June 12, 1981, in Shippool Woods near Bandon River. The body was hidden from view, but O’Sullivan noticed a navy coat in briars about 20 yards from the road. Using a hurley, he made his way through the briars and discovered the body of a woman. The body was partly covered by clothing, and the head was pointing downhill toward the river.
O’Sullivan observed a stench emanating from the body, along with circling bluebottles. He noticed a bandage on the woman’s left hand and a cut on her neck, which had blood that appeared fresh. Additionally, there were scrape marks on her torso. O’Sullivan waved away the bluebottles with his hurl and then returned to the road.
Since O’Sullivan did not have any means of communication, he asked his wife to take Collins and McSweeney to the nearest garda station in Bandon to report the discovery. He remained at the scene to ensure the body was undisturbed.
The trial continued with testimony from Laurence Baron, who was a detective with the Garda Technical Bureau in 1981. Baron arrived at the scene the day after the body was found and observed that it was lying on its right side. The head was covered with a blue floral dress, which was caught under the jawbone and neck. The body had suffered damage from maggots and rodents, and Baron noted the presence of a pair of nylon tights and a summer shoe with straps and a buckle.
Noel Long, of Maulbawn, Passage West, Co. Cork, has pleaded not guilty to the murder of Nora Sheehan, whose body was discovered six days after she went missing at The Viewing Point in Shippool Woods.
The trial is ongoing in the presence of Mr Justice Paul McDermott and a jury comprising eight men and four women.
