Kelly was discovered in the Ulster Canal on St Patrick’s Day 2024, around 30 hours after she was last seen following a night out

The body of Kelly Lynch, 23, was discovered in the Ulster Canal in Monaghan on St Patrick’s Day(Image: Family photo)

A privately funded forensic report has concluded that a 23-year-old woman found dead in a Monaghan canal died as a result of a violent assault, contradicting garda findings that her death was a tragic accident.

Kelly Lynch, from Lisnakea, Co Fermanagh, was discovered in the Ulster Canal on St Patrick’s Day 2024, around 30 hours after she was last seen following a night out.

Gardai believe she fell from a bridge and are not treating her death as suspicious. However, the new report, commissioned by the Katie Trust and seen by RTÉ’s Drivetime, found Ms Lynch sustained 93 injuries, including defensive wounds, and concluded she was the victim of a homicide.

It also states some injuries were inflicted after her death and that no water was found in her lungs.

The Lynch family has called for a murder investigation and raised concerns about how the case was handled, including delays in preserving the scene and gathering CCTV.

Last summer, the Lynch family sought help from the Katie Trust – a charity which investigates so-called ‘hidden homicides’; cases where people have been found dead and families have suspicions over what exactly happened to them.

The charity is spearheaded by retired PSNI Detective James Brannigan – who was instrumental in solving the murder of showjumper Katie Simpson, which was initially treated as a suicide.

View 3 Images

Kelly Lynch with her mum Julieanne, who says her family are still searching for answers about her daughter’s death after she was found dead in the Ulster Canal in Monaghan on St Patrick’s Day(Image: Family photo)

View 3 Images

Kelly Lynch pictured with her little brother(Image: The Lynch family)

The charity commissioned a special forensic report into Kelly Lynch’s death.

“As a result of the injuries Kelly suffered, we consulted with a pathologist based in America, but who had been trained in Ireland and has extensive experience,” Mr Brannigan told RTE’s Drivetime.

“He has done an in-depth report into the injuries sustained by Kelly by looking at the scene photographs, post-mortem photographs and post-mortem reports already completed.

“He has explained in great detail the injuries she has sustained and how he believes they were caused to Kelly.

“Some of these injuries were inflicted on Kelly after she had died, which is quite concerning. Most notably, a fracture to her T-10 vertebrae and also a wound to her head. He has also outlined to us how she died and it shows to us there has been third-party involvement in Kelly’s death,” he said.

“There are numerous marks on her body which are not conducive with falling off a bridge or not conducive with drowning. She has defensive wounds too. As a homicide detective, I have grave concerns over this incident.”