Woman found unconscious near Ennis died of hypothermia

The preliminary results of a postmortem on a 42-year-old Dublin woman found unconscious near Ennis revealed last night that she died from hypothermia as a result of exposure.

Maria Talbot was found at Lissane on the outskirts of Clarecastle by a passer-by at 11.30 on Sunday morning and she later died at Ennis General Hospital at 5pm on Sunday.

Ms Talbot had been with work friends at a Christmas party and had left the Queen's nightclub at 1.50am to get a taxi home to Claremount, Clarecastle.

A postmortem was yesterday carried out by Assistant State Pathologist, Dr Michael Curtis.

Last night, Supt John Kerin of Ennis Garda station confirmed that the postmortem ruled out any suspicion of foul play in the death of the mother of two teenage boys, aged 18 and 14.

He said: "There were no injuries found on her body. It is very sad. Ms Talbot was a very much respected member of the community and a hard-working mother. She was out at a Christmas social night with her work colleagues and there is absolutely nothing untoward here."

Supt Kerin said that Ms Talbot shared a taxi with two other women and was dropped off near her home at Clarecastle after the two other women had been dropped off earlier.

Supt Kerin said: "The response to our appeal for information on Ms Talbot's last movements has been fantastic." Supt Kerin said that gardaí are still trying to locate a silver sequined handbag, a soft velvet-type hat and a mobile phone that belonged to Ms Talbot.

Ms Talbot had lived at Clarecastle for the last number of years, but was originally from Rush, Co Dublin.

She worked as an accountant and had recently been working part-time at the Ennis Chamber of Commerce before taking up full-time employment with Liam Cleary car-sales.

Last night, Ennis chamber president John Madden said staff at the chamber yesterday were "devastated" at the news of Ms Talbot's death.

He said: "We are all very saddened. Maria was a lovely person and a very efficient employee and excellent colleague. It is very sad and we send our condolences to her family."