Post mortem on woman found dead in Mayo inconclusive

Toxicology tests expected to determine cause of death of Ann Murphy (49)

Assistant State Pathologist Dr Margaret Bolster carried out the postmortem at Mayo General Hospital. Photograph: Daragh MacSweeney/Provision
Assistant State Pathologist Dr Margaret Bolster carried out the postmortem at Mayo General Hospital. Photograph: Daragh MacSweeney/Provision

Gardaí investigating the death of a 49-year-old woman in south Mayo have said that postmortem results are inconclusive.

The woman, who has been named locally as Ann Murphy, was found dead at a house at Ballycurrin, near Glencorrib, close to the Galway-Mayo border on Sunday afternoon.

A postmortem was carried out by assistant State Pathologist Dr Margaret Bolster at Mayo General Hospital yesterday.

Gardaí in the Claremorris division expect the results of toxicology tests will help to determine the cause of death.

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An alarm was raised after 4pm on Sunday after Ms Murphy had been visiting a neighbour and was found dead in a front room. An ambulance was called and she was pronounced dead at the scene.

The house was sealed off for a full forensic and technical examination.

However, gardaí said there was nothing to indicate any assault, and the death is being treated as “unexpected” rather than “suspicious” at this stage.

Lorna Siggins

Lorna Siggins

Lorna Siggins is the former western and marine correspondent of The Irish Times