Longford author releases first book

After 36 years in An Garda Síochána Lanesboro native Ciaran Prior presented a TEDx talk entitled 'Life Lessons Dealing With Death' where he unfolded aspects of his unique life experience.

From that was born Traces of Truth-A CSI Investigates Life and Death which condenses three decades of knowledge into book form.

Traces of Truth recounts some of the more significant instances of grief, tragedy and sorrow Ciaran encountered throughout his crime scene investigation career.

“It's more than just a police procedural. There's reflection on death I have drawn from experiences in my youth. I was called after my Uncle Ciaran who died tragically in a shooting accident," he said.

“He was my mother's brother. As a child I felt that death had a shadow over me. The strange thing was that I went on to work in a job that exposed me to death on a huge scale,” Ciaran told the Leader.

Traces of Truth is a revealing memoir, in which Ciaran details his work on some of Ireland’s most shocking murders.

“It centres on the character, instinct and judgement required to see justice done, and is a reflection on life and death. It traces the effect that a career spent dealing with mortality will leave on perception and psyche.”

The personal nature of the book is an aspect of the work that particularly pleases Ciaran.

“There's a reflective process going on in the book. What death means and what it means for all of us to have this thing take over. In the background we all know we're going to reach that point," he added.

Ciaran Prior's Traces of Truth-A CSI Investigates Life and Death goes on sale this Thursday, September 19.