12 March 1997
RIDDLE OF MYSTERY URN AND ASHES AT KNOCK AIRPORT
By TOM SHIEL
Gardai are appealing for the help of the public in solving the mystery of an urn containing cremated ashes which has been found at Knock Airport.
It is believed the container, which was spotted on the ground outside the terminal building on March 4, may have fallen from the belongings of a passenger entering Ireland from England.
The plastic urn, discovered outside an exit door, has been locked away for safekeeping by airport management as efforts continue here and in Britain to determine where the urn came from.
Supt. Liam Collins, head of the Swinford Garda Division, explained: "We have been in touch with the crematorium authorities in London but have been unable to get much information for confidentiality reasons".
Supt. Collins confirmed there were some ashes in the urn, not a full human remains, but a small portion which had been kept for sentimental reasons".
Gardai have information which leads them to believe the ashes are those of a man who was cremated at Golders Green Crematorium, London on December 4 last.
The Supt. added: "If anyone out there has information on this urn we would be delighted if they could contact us.
"Whoever lost the urn probably would not realise precisely at what stage of their journey it went missing".
Anybody with information on the urn should contact the Garda Supt. at Swinford 094-51115 or the Sergeant-in-charge at Charlestown on 094-54104
Undertakers confirm there is a growing trend amongst Irish exiles in
Britain towards cremation. The cremated remains can be flown home as part of
the passengers baggage eliminating the costs involved in transferring a
coffin by air to Ireland.
Connaught Telegraph - News & Sport - March 1997
