Search in Dublin park for remains of rapist whose arm found on beach

Gardaí have begun a search for the body of convicted rapist James Nolan at a site in Tolka Valley Park in Finglas, Dublin.

A dismembered arm found washed up on Dollymount Beach on February 8th, 2011, was confirmed to be that of Mr Nolan’s following DNA analysis.

On Saturday, detectives said the force had received information suggesting a site at Tolka Valley Park was an “area of interest”.

Mr Nolan, from Fairlawn Road in Finglas, Co Dublin, was 46-years-old when he was last seen at the Wellmount Clinic in Finglas on November 30th, 2010, where he collected methadone.

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He had recently been released from Portlaoise Prison, having served time for burglary. Previously, he was jailed for 14 years after being convicted of rape and false imprisonment.

Since the discovery of Mr Nolan’s arm, a Garda investigation has been underway to determine the circumstances of his death and the location of his body, but nothing has been found.

Extensive search

Supt William Carolan of Blanchardstown Garda station said he would not comment on the circumstances of how the Garda came by the information in relation to Tolka Valley Park, but said it was being treated “very seriously”.

“As a result of this information and following thorough planning, from today, an extensive search will be carried out at this location,” he said.

A dig of the area using specialist equipment and a cadaver dog is expected to last three weeks.

“This is a significant operation,” he said. “Significant Garda resources are committed to this. It is a substantial area. There is a lot of scrub and undergrowth, so it’s quite difficult terrain, which is why we’re anticipating a three week time period.

“We have a highly trained divisional search team. We’ve employed the services of a forensic archaeologist who will guide the operation, and we are also utilising the services of a cadaver dog.”

Gardaí have appointed a family liaison officer to the Nolan family, which was informed of the development and the commencement of the search.

Public Access

The park remains open to the public, but the site of the search will be cordoned off and access to the area will be restricted.

Supt Carolan said the public will have access to the park via Tolka Valley Road and the Ballyboggan Road. There will be no access from the pedestrian gate at the North Road, Finglas at Tolka Vale.

At Nolan’s inquest, State Pathologist Prof Marie Cassidy told Dublin Coroner’s Court that his arm had been “cleanly” severed post-death using a very sharp knife, and tattoos had been cut from the skin to prevent his identification.

“A propeller can leave quite a clean mark on a body but they are usually longer. These were very carefully and deliberately going around the whole circumference of the limb. It was deliberately cut,” she said.

The arm had been dismembered at the shoulder and wrist.

Prof Cassidy told the court there was no evidence of any bleeding or blood loss into the tissues, indicating that Nolan was dead when the cuts were made.

She said she could not discount the possibility the arm had been in the water since Nolan went missing in November 2010.

Det Insp Paul Scott had confirmed Nolan was identified using a DNA sample taken from the arm that matched a DNA profile on a UK police database.

Nolan had been arrested in Holyhead in 2004 when he was found using a forged driving licence and a photograph. Fingerprints and DNA were taken at the time.

Supt Carolan has appealed for anyone with information to come forward.