It is believed by authorities that a man, Stephen Ring, whose body was discovered in Co Wexford, was killed nearly two weeks prior to his discovery as a result of a local feud by someone he was acquainted with. At that time, he was still being searched for as a missing person but the police had already begun pursuing a clear investigation trajectory.
Ring’s body was found on a Sunday afternoon at the remote Carrigfoyle quarry, situated in the Shelmalier Commons area to the southwest of Wexford town. Ring, aged 27, sustained numerous injuries and while the extensive findings of his autopsy are still being awaited, authorities are treating his death as a murder.
Police suspect that he was assaulted at a different location before his body was transported to the quarry’s water body where it was subsequently disposed of. This dumping may have occurred the same morning he was last seen alive. The quarry is a hub for local walkers and the area was cordified off for investigation by the Garda Technical Bureau last Sunday.
The discovery of Mr Ring”s remains came about following a piece of specific information that was given to authorities. This information resulted in a large-scale search operation, involving even a Garda helicopter, which ultimately lead to uncovering his body just prior to Sunday lunchtime.
Stephen Ring was reported missing the previous week and despite ongoing efforts to locate him, these were stood down on Sunday following the gruesome discovery. Mr Ring was last spotted alive in Wexford town on October 15th, a Tuesday.
Mr Ring was last seen being dropped off at the entrance of Ard na Dara, Clonard, Wexford, at around 2am on the day he disappeared. The police theorise that he was assaulted shortly thereafter. A person who was known to him has been pinpointed as the primary suspect.
Concern for the wellbeing of Mr Ring heightened last week, leading the police as well as his kin to engage in several inquiries. A host of individuals were questioned, but no apprehensions were made. Intriguingly, Mr Ring made no attempts to withdraw cash and there were zero reports of his sightings. Certain individuals among those questioned by the police reportedly have ties with local drug rings. At least one property that was visited during the inquiries last week was subsequently cordoned off for a police investigation.
Two suspects were taken into custody on Sunday – a male in his mid-forties and a female in her early thirties, at a police station in Wexford county. Under the provisions of section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act, the duo can be interrogated up to 24 hours without being formally charged.
An experienced officer has now been entrusted with leading the investigation, and an operations room has been set up at the Wexford police station. A police liaison officer has also been allocated to the affected family.