Sleeping with the fish

Patrick McCormack, 52 of Dublin Ireland, was initially reported missing by his brother in October of 2003. An investigation of that report by the Garda at that time revealed that he was last seen in June of 2002.

Two specific dates in June of that year are still being considered the last reported sightings of McCormack and his Opel Spectra car was found abandoned not too long afterwards in Shannon, County Clare. He was known to the gardai from his previous robbery convictions and had been suspected of being involved in drug dealing in the west of Ireland.

For the past five years it seems, McCormack has been quietly tucked away from public view. Tucked away until this past week when he was discovered, badly beaten, his hands tied behind his back and stuffed into a sealed plastic container. His post mortem had been repeatedly delayed because of the frozen state of his body but it was established June 20 2007 that he died of severe head injuries.

Superintendent Tom Curley, lead officer in the murder investigation said that detectives are exploring the very real possibility that McCormack's body has been in deep freeze until his recent discovery. It has not been determined yet, if he was killed at the Mermaid Fish Shop on St John's Avenue, Galway,County Clare or if that was just his final hiding spot.

Either way, I have to wonder about the inventory procedures they have, since his container may have been sitting in the deep freeze for five years, unnoticed.