Byrne was known as the “Irish Giant” and treated like a freak show when he was alive. In the event of his death, he requested to be buried at sea so as not to be seized by body snatchers, but his wishes were ignored.
He died at the age of 22 in June 1783, some say from tuberculosis, others from a severe drinking bout brought about by the theft of his life savings.
The board of the museum decided that the manner in which Byrne’s skeleton was acquired was unethical and against his wishes.
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