The Torso in the Canal by John Mooney Read Free Book Online
Authors: John Mooney
Tags: Death, Crime, Prison, Murder, Ireland, Sisters, Dublin, killing, Violence, Kenya, Dismemberment, murderer, immigration, forensic, immigrant, kill, Noor, Scissor Sisters, Kenyan, Torso in the Canal, life sentence, gardai, Linda Mulhall, Torso, ballybough bridge, John Mooney, royal canal, Farah Swaleh Noor, croke park, Mooney, Charlotte Mulhall
Garda had. The one personality trait he possessed that would stand to him was his fervent belief in maintaining an open mind at all times on everything.
While every member of the team had of course investigated countless murders, it was obvious that the torso in the canal was no ordinary killing. It was evident to all that whoever the victim was, he had suffered an unimaginable death. Among the crimes and atrocities that had convulsed Ireland, this—the dismemberment of a body—stood out as horrific, virulent and cruel. Though they all knew they were dealing with a violent death, and possibly something far more sinister, the dismemberment presented so many questions that the post-mortem took on a special urgency.
*****
The procedure itself began at 7.40pm that evening and consisted of a thorough examination of what remained of the corpse in the beleaguered hope that it could determine the cause and manner of death.
Working methodically, Dr Curtis removed the various body parts from the two bags. Those present in the room were all struck by the smell of decomposition, which was at times overpowering.
It should be noted that no one knew whether the victim was black or white at this stage; there had been a degree of epidermal separation, which had turned the victim’s flesh white, disguising his race, and his likely country of origin.
In accordance with procedure, each of the body parts was first measured and photographed. When this task was complete, the pathologist began an external examination of the remains. This was carried out in a forensic fashion; he noted the various segments and the kind of clothes found with the dismembered remains.
Of course, the most obvious missing parts of the body were the head and the victim’s penis. The pathologist also noted there were a number of items of clothing found. There was the white-coloured Ireland jersey, but there was also a vest, a white checked towel and a pair of socks. These were looked at closely.
In many ways it was a difficult post-mortem. For a start, the body was contaminated with silt and fresh water prawns, which fed on the flesh, particularly around the wounds. These hampered the speed of the examination.
The pathologist next took a description of the body as best he could. He noted the sex and other distinguishing features, which could help identify the victim, but these proved elusive given the dismemberment. The dissection of the body, brutal and hurried as it was, had had the desired effect, insofar that it made parts of the post-mortem difficult. Dr Curtis, though, persevered.
He then examined each body part. One of the first examined in detail was the upper torso. The pathologist noticed it still contained most of the soft tissue that surrounds the abdomen. The examination of this body part revealed in excess of 22 stab wounds to the upper torso in the front and rear. There were also three cuts to the back. Whoever had stabbed the victim had done so with enormous ferocity.
Judging the shape of the wounds, the pathologist guessed the weapon was some type of sharp knife, possibly a kitchen knife.
Once the torso was examined, he moved on to the right and left upper limbs. These, he proclaimed to the detectives, had been divided at the level of the upper humerus on each side. He had never seen anything like it in his career.
Another body part that yielded some more clues was the lower torso, which still contained the hip joints. The pathologist recorded that a pair of white underpants were present on these.
Below the pants, he found the penis of the victim had been cut off, along with an anterior part of the scrotum. This was a barbaric act by any standard.
He also noted the upper femora had been divided. In fact, the detached thighs had been divided just above the knee. Both lower limbs were there as well, with the feet intact. He noted the presence of grey-charcoal socks on each foot.
The body was next cleaned, weighed and measured in
While every member of the team had of course investigated countless murders, it was obvious that the torso in the canal was no ordinary killing. It was evident to all that whoever the victim was, he had suffered an unimaginable death. Among the crimes and atrocities that had convulsed Ireland, this—the dismemberment of a body—stood out as horrific, virulent and cruel. Though they all knew they were dealing with a violent death, and possibly something far more sinister, the dismemberment presented so many questions that the post-mortem took on a special urgency.
*****
The procedure itself began at 7.40pm that evening and consisted of a thorough examination of what remained of the corpse in the beleaguered hope that it could determine the cause and manner of death.
Working methodically, Dr Curtis removed the various body parts from the two bags. Those present in the room were all struck by the smell of decomposition, which was at times overpowering.
It should be noted that no one knew whether the victim was black or white at this stage; there had been a degree of epidermal separation, which had turned the victim’s flesh white, disguising his race, and his likely country of origin.
In accordance with procedure, each of the body parts was first measured and photographed. When this task was complete, the pathologist began an external examination of the remains. This was carried out in a forensic fashion; he noted the various segments and the kind of clothes found with the dismembered remains.
Of course, the most obvious missing parts of the body were the head and the victim’s penis. The pathologist also noted there were a number of items of clothing found. There was the white-coloured Ireland jersey, but there was also a vest, a white checked towel and a pair of socks. These were looked at closely.
In many ways it was a difficult post-mortem. For a start, the body was contaminated with silt and fresh water prawns, which fed on the flesh, particularly around the wounds. These hampered the speed of the examination.
The pathologist next took a description of the body as best he could. He noted the sex and other distinguishing features, which could help identify the victim, but these proved elusive given the dismemberment. The dissection of the body, brutal and hurried as it was, had had the desired effect, insofar that it made parts of the post-mortem difficult. Dr Curtis, though, persevered.
He then examined each body part. One of the first examined in detail was the upper torso. The pathologist noticed it still contained most of the soft tissue that surrounds the abdomen. The examination of this body part revealed in excess of 22 stab wounds to the upper torso in the front and rear. There were also three cuts to the back. Whoever had stabbed the victim had done so with enormous ferocity.
Judging the shape of the wounds, the pathologist guessed the weapon was some type of sharp knife, possibly a kitchen knife.
Once the torso was examined, he moved on to the right and left upper limbs. These, he proclaimed to the detectives, had been divided at the level of the upper humerus on each side. He had never seen anything like it in his career.
Another body part that yielded some more clues was the lower torso, which still contained the hip joints. The pathologist recorded that a pair of white underpants were present on these.
Below the pants, he found the penis of the victim had been cut off, along with an anterior part of the scrotum. This was a barbaric act by any standard.
He also noted the upper femora had been divided. In fact, the detached thighs had been divided just above the knee. Both lower limbs were there as well, with the feet intact. He noted the presence of grey-charcoal socks on each foot.
The body was next cleaned, weighed and measured in
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