Five years after the death of Mr Richie Barron, his family yesterday saw his remains dug up in the hope that the State Pathologist could uncover vital evidence to explain how he died.
From before 5 a.m. the scene was prepared to allow Dr John Harbison carry out a postmortem examination just yards from the grave.
Family members blessed themselves as detectives in navy overalls draped plastic around the fencing to shield the area from view.
Mr Barron's body was found on a roadside near Raphoe in Co Donegal in October 1996. He had serious head injuries and it was assumed he had been the victim of a hit-and-run. The initial post-mortem examination, which was not carried out by the State Pathologist, was inconclusive and the scene of death was not preserved.
Subsequently a murder investigation was opened and a number of arrests were made. A Raphoe publican, Mr Frank McBrearty, who has had 160 charges for traffic and licensing offences against him dropped, claimed an attempt was made to frame members of his family for Mr Barron's death.
Dr Harbison arrived at 7.15 a.m. yesterday, and the family stayed at a distance near the church door.
It took him, assisted by a mortician from Letterkenny, two hours to complete his work. The ordeal ended for the family shortly after 10 a.m. when the new coffin was carried back to the grave and the parish priest, Father Dinny McGettigan, said prayers as the remains were reburied.
Dr Harbison did not take away samples for further examination. Garda sources said his report was likely to be available within 48 hours.
The solicitor acting for the Barron family, Mr Paudge Dorr ian, said he would be seeking the results over the weekend.
The crucial point in the report will be whether Dr Harbison can conclude that the injuries received by Mr Barron were likely to have been caused by a car accident or by an assault.