Baffling Irish mystery subject of new show set to be staged at Listowel Writer's Week
For those unfamiliar with the story of 'Peter Bergmann', it is the name given to the man whose body was discovered on Rosses Point beach on June 16, 2009. The man, thought to be in his 50's or 60's, had been staying at the Sligo City Hotel in Sligo Town. He checked in there for three days under the name of Peter Bergmann and gave an address in Vienna, Austria.
Both of these proved to be false.
The grey-haired man disposed of his belongings in a plastic purple bag, all while avoiding CCTV around the town. On his second day in the town, he purchased eight stamps and airmail stickers from a post office, but it was never established to whom these letters were sent.
On the day before the discovery of his body, he asked a taxi driver to take him to the quietest beach in Sligo for a swim. This was Rosses Point. Here, Bergmann got out of the car and stared for a short time before he returned to the taxi.
He checked out of the hotel on Monday, June 15, and at around 2.20pm that day, he boarded a bus to Rosses Point. It's estimated that he was seen by up to 16 people on the beach that day over the course of an eight-hour period. He was last seen walking along the beach, alone, near midnight.
A man and his son who were out training for a triathlon discovered the body at approximately 8am on the morning of June 16.
All the labels on the clothes the man was wearing had been carefully removed and despite extensive investigations by Gardaí, the man's true name and place of origin remain unknown.
He was buried in an unmarked grave in Sligo cemetery with just six people in attendance in September of 2009; a postmortem found that he had advanced prostate cancer and bone tumours and had suffered previous heart attacks.
The show on Friday in Listowel, which is called Mr Bergmann of Deadman's Point, is written by and stars Dublin actor and playwright Ronan Dempsey, and he spoke to The Kerryman about the upcoming show and his inspiration for writing it.
'I think I first read the story about Peter Bergmann back in 2019 which would have been the 10-year anniversary and I remember that I was just fascinated by it. I said to myself that there must be something in this I could write about and so what I did was I opened up a Google Doc and I wrote the title 'Peter Bergmann' at the top of it and I closed it straight away,' he laughed, adding 'I knew I'd come back to it someday.'
What really inspired Ronan to return to the story though was the news that a really close friend of his had been diagnosed with terminal Brain cancer and that it was the juxtaposition between how he, Ronan's friend was handling the news and how the mysterious Peter Bergmann chose to handle it that planted the seed that would grow to become the play.
ADVERTISEMENT
Learn more
"I remember chatting to him quite candidly and he was talking about end of life, what sort of mindset it puts you in, and what happens to you. What really struck me though was what he was saying about legacy and tidying everything up for the end and the panic that got into him and how it changed him,' said Ronan.
"So much stuff that wouldn't have mattered to him before in terms of legacy and how he was going to be remembered, it now suddenly really mattered to him. I was quite struck by all this and I thought of Peter Bergmann and he was this fella that rocked over for three days to Sligo and he did absolutely everything in his power to delete himself and to leave absolutely nothing,' he continued.
"Then I looked at my friend who was in the complete opposite boat in that he wanted to write his history and write his legacy. He crossed every t and dotted every I. The two completely different trains of thought between these two men just grabbed hold of me and I thought that I would have loved to see these two people in a room and see what happens,' he added.
The show Ronan said is told through a fictional embalmer who is preparing Mr. Bergmann for his final journey while two men (both played by Ronan) watch on. He described it as a comic and mysterious tale of redemption, legacy, and what it is to live so close to death.
'What we experience is the juxtaposition between watching how these two guys move. It's like you have this sand timer and both of these men just have a few grains left in their life and you're just there watching how both of them navigate these last few grains,' he said.
The show will be staged at 8pm on Friday May 30 in St John's Theatre in Listowel. Tickets will cost €20 and are available to buy at https://stjohnstheatre.ticketsolve.com/ticketbooth/shows/1173662810 or by calling the booking office on 068 22566
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Irish Independent
20 minutes ago
- Irish Independent
Louth man smashed up car owned by ex partner's new boyfriend ‘in fit of rage'
Keith Shelbourne, Avenue One, Yellowbatter, Drogheda, came forward on a signed plea of guilty to a charge of criminal damage at Ellwood, Ballymakenny Road, Drogheda, on October 29, 2023. The car he targetted, a 2017 Audi A5, was written off by insurers. He handed over €10,000 compensation. The court heard that Mr Shelbourne and the lady had broken up. They had a child together. On this occasion he turned up at a house in the early hours of the morning after seeing her in a car with someone else. He began kicking the Audi and shouted for the other man to come outside. The defendant hit the car with a rock, smashing its windows. He used a child's scooter to smash the rest of the windows and break off the wing mirrors. All the while the victim was videoing the incident which was reported to Gardaí at 1.05am. Gda Dara Quinn said that Mr Shelbourne, who has no previous convictions, accepted that he smashed up the vehicle. He didn't express much remorse. The €25,500 vehicle was written off by the insurance company. The witness agreed with counsel that this occurred 'in a fit of rage'. There was no indication of any violence in the defendant's previous relationship, while the two men were not known to each other and had no further contact. The compensation was accepted. ADVERTISEMENT In a Victim Impact Statement, the man said that he had recently purchased the car. As a result of what happened he had to buy a cheap van to get to work. His insurance premium had more than doubled from €450 to €950. It was stated on behalf of the accused that he had shared access to his son and that the relationship with the boy's mother was amicable again. He wrote a letter of apology. He regretted the harm he caused. Mr Shelbourne was in full-time work and the sole carer for his mother who had suffered a stroke. It was a substantial amount of compensation for him to put together. He was willing to pay more. Judge Dara Hayes remarked that the context of this was a concern. "An attack on a former girlfriend's new boyfriend. I find that troubling and concerning. She's entitled to move on.' It was a particularly serious offence. Although the word had not been mentioned, he described it as jealousy, The judge said he would seek the guidance of the Probation Service and adjourned sentencing for a report on October 7. Funded by the Courts Reporting Scheme
Irish Independent
21 minutes ago
- Irish Independent
Teenager dies in single-vehicle crash in Kildare as motorcyclist seriously injured in separate incident
Emergency services rushed to the scene of a fatal crash involving a pick-up truck on the Barrettstown Road in Newbridge, Co Kildare shortly after 8pm last night. The passenger, an adult male in his late teens, was taken to Naas General Hospital where he was later pronounced dead. The male driver, also aged in his teens, was taken to Tallaght Hospital for treatment of non life-threatening injuries. There were no other injuries reported. The coroner has been informed and a post-mortem examination will take place in due course. The road remains closed pending examination by garda forensic collision investigators. Local diversions are in place. Gardaí are appealing for witnesses to come forward. 'Any road users who may have camera footage (including dash cam) and were travelling in the area between 7.45pm and 8.15pm are asked to make this footage available to investigating gardaí,' said a spokesperson. 'Anyone with any information is asked to contact Newbridge garda station on (045) 440180, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111, or any garda station.' Local councillor Peggy O'Dwyer, who lives close to where the crash happened, said the community is in a state of shock. 'I want to express my sincere condolences to the family of the young man who tragically lost his life. It's terribly sad news,' she said. 'It's something no family should ever have to experience. 'I also hope that the other young man involved makes a full recovery.' Separately, Gardaí are also appealing for witnesses following a serious collision which happened on the R415 at Boley Little, Athy, Co Kildare yesterday evening. Gardaí and emergency services responded to the collision involving a car and two motorcycles shortly after 7.30pm. One of the motorcyclists, a man in his 20s, was brought to Tallaght University Hospital for treatment of serious injuries. The second motorcyclist, a man in his 20s, was taken to Midland Regional Hospital Portlaoise to be treated for injuries believed to be non life-threatening. There were no other injuries reported. The road is closed as investigators conduct an examination of the scene while local diversions remain in place. Local councillor Mark Leigh said his thoughts are with the family of the seriously injured motorcyclist. 'I was saddened to learn of this accident. My thoughts are with the the family at this incredibly difficult time, and I sincerely hope for their full and speedy recovery.' Gardaí are also appealing for witnesses of this serious crash to come forward. 'Any road users who may have camera footage (including dash-cam) and were travelling in the area between 7.15pm and 7.45pm are asked to make this footage available to investigating gardaí,' said a spokesperson. 'Anyone with information is asked to contact Athy garda station on (059) 8634210, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111, or any garda station.'
Irish Daily Mirror
an hour ago
- Irish Daily Mirror
Top garda Drew Harris reveals review into Michael Gaine and Satchwell probes
The Garda Commissioner has said that it may seem 'very obvious in hindsight' that Tina Satchwell was buried under the stairs of her Garda boss Drew Harris has confirmed that gardai are now set to launch a review of how the investigation into the murder of Ms Satchwell in Youghal, Co Cork was handled. He also spoke of a 'peer review' of how the current investigation into the murder of Kerry farmer Michael Gaine has been handled to date. It comes after wife killer Richard Satchwell was sentenced to life in prison this week - following a five week trial which heard how her remains were ultimately discovered in a two foot grave under the stairs - following a second search of the home in October 2023. Speaking to reporters as 120 Gardaí were attested as sworn members of An Garda Síochána on Friday, Commissioner Harris said:'I've received reports obviously in respect of that investigation (Satchwell) and then a subsequent review which then led obviously now to the conviction. That's a positive outcome but we want to learn as well from the course of the investigation and the decisions that were made and the conduct of the inquiries but also then the conduct of the physical search as well.'Mr Harris said the original 2017 missing persons investigation - which included a search of the Satchwell home in June of that year that missed the remains under the stairs, did 'harvest a huge amount of information.' 'That information then was very useful in the subsequent re-examination in the incident room. The ability then to forensically analyse things around finances but also then communications and all of those were crucial,' he about whether initial 2017 investigation - which Satchwell's trial heard saw over 10 gardai search the home from top to bottom - and included a forensic expert searching for blood spatter failed, Commissioner Harris said:'So I would say the initial investigation was hamstrung because of the lack of information in comparison to the later re-examination of this matter. There was far more information to hand which gave us real grounds then for actual suspicion and enquiries.'The Garda boss went on to say that it may seem obvious now that Tina was buried under the stairs - but cited the lack of information investigators had at the time. "I know when you look at hindsight some of these things can seem very obvious. But in the moment, what was known, what was being said in terms of sightings, what was being said in terms of the victim by her husband, and one has to recognise the victimology that was being applied here. 'His suppression of her, the coercive control that obviously she was subject to for many years, her isolation in that particular community - that meant that there was very few other people that we were able to speak to that were able to give a victimology and an idea of what Tina Satchwell's life was like. So it was a complex investigation,' he said. "Yes, the house was searched in 2017. Forensic scientists also accompanied that search, it was subject to thorough examination in effect looking for blood spatter - none was found,' he whether he was satisfied with the manner in which the June 2017 search was handled or whether more could have been done - with gardai at the time not utilising a cadaver dog and with the fact that journalists who had been in the home prior had noticed a terrible smell, Commissioner Harris said:'I think it's very early for me to make a judgement on that. I want to see the papers and I think we want to review that ourselves. We have the expertise within the organisation and obviously then we will be reporting that to the Minister and community policing authority. ' I do think there are definitely lessons that we wish to learn from all of these homicides with missing persons which convert in time to homicide investigations. "We want to be sure going forward when we see a missing person report that we actually have an investigative mindset around a crime also being committed,' he Commissioner also mentioned the ongoing investigation into the murder of Kenmare farmer Michael Gaine - and said even that case is being peer reviewed to allow officers to better understand investigations of this nature. His comments come amid concerns that gardai discovered Mr Gaine's remains inside a slurry tank on his land - seven weeks after they had already searched it and seemingly missed them. 'What I can say we have done already is we reviewed all our missing person reports nationally that was done last year, we found no other suspected homicide cases. So that's the position we're in at the moment. Following the Michael Gaine, or in the middle of the Michael Gaine investigation we're subjecting that to a peer review because I do think there's learning for us around those who would commit crime and then attempt to dispose of the body and often are successful in disposing of the body.'The Commissioner was speaking as 120 new members were added to the Garda force - and spoke of a new memorial in Templemore for Garda Kevin Flatley - who was killed in a horror road collision in North Co Dublin last month.'It is obviously a very positive day for all of us, we're very pleased to see it. It's also a poignant day as has already been said you would have seen that Garda Kevin Flatley's name is remembered here, his name is now added to the memorial. So I have to say when I saw that this morning it was a very poignant moment for his colleagues here as well. We all remember Kevin and his service,' he 89 of the new garda members are male and 31 are female - 22 of which were born outside of the State and originate from the likes of Belarus, Belgium, Brazil, Croatia, England, India, Italy, Moldova, Pakistan, Poland, Russia, Scotland, South Africa, Spain and Northern Ireland. Gardai in a press release stated that 74 of the new recruits are headed to the Dublin region, 17 to the Eastern Region, 11 to the Southern Region and 18 to the North Western Region. There are now 14,318 members in the Garda force - and a further 359 recruits are scheduled to enter the Garda College next at the attestation, Commissioner Drew Harris told those gathered:"I'm delighted to be here on what is a proud and important day for you all. I'd like to welcome your families and loved ones to the Garda College for what is a special occasion for you all. "It is a day to celebrate your achievements and it marks the start of an exciting career.' The Commissioner reminded the new probationers:"Earlier you swore an updated oath to the people of Ireland. To serve them with fairness, integrity, diligence and impartiality in a manner that protects and vindicates human rights, upholds the Constitution and the laws, and accords equal respect to all people."The additions to the Oath of protecting and vindicating human rights, and adhering to the Code of Ethics, reflect the significant responsibility you now have to live up to, the ethos of the first Garda Commissioner, Michael Staines. An ethos that has guided An Garda Síochána for over 100 years as a community-focused, unarmed police service.'"You will support victims of crime. You will be a shoulder to lean on for those experiencing loss. You will also be a light of hope to others, providing safety and protection. I wish you the very best in your career and I hope you enjoy the celebrations today.'
