A Northern Irish family is seeking accountability after their loved one’s identified body remained unclaimed in a Dublin morgue for over a year despite carrying multiple forms of identification. James O’Neill, a 43-year-old father of two from Belfast, was discovered deceased in Phoenix Park, Dublin, in November 2023. Yet, it wasn’t until December 2024—more than 13 months later—that his family was officially notified of his death.
The O’Neill family met with investigators from Fiosrú, the Republic of Ireland’s police ombudsman office, as they launched a formal investigation into the Gardaí’s handling of the case. Paul O’Neill, the deceased’s father, expressed profound frustration that despite his son carrying “nine separate identification items” at the time of discovery, authorities failed to identify him promptly or make any public appeal for information.
“The last couple of years have been devastating, bewildering, confusing,” stated Mr. O’Neill. “Sleepless nights, questions unanswered, and again the constant question: Why could this have been allowed to happen?”
Family solicitor Pádraig Ó Muirigh described the case as “very tragic but also very preventable,” citing “serious shortcomings” in the police investigation. The family has enlisted former Northern Ireland state pathologist Jack Crane to conduct an independent review of the case. An inquest scheduled for last week was adjourned pending further investigation.
Both the Gardaí and Fiosrú have declined to comment citing the ongoing investigation. The O’Neill family emphasizes that their pursuit of answers aims to prevent similar institutional failures from affecting other families in the future.