AN inquest into the death of a 42 year old civil servant was adjourned for further evidence yesterday after her brother expressed astonishment that she had died of a drug related heart attack.
Ms Margaret Moran, who was employed in the computer control section at the Department of Agriculture, Kildare Street, Dublin, was found dead by women friends alone in her flat at Whitworth Road, Glasnevin, Dublin on April 17th last.
A pathologist's report to the Dublin City Coroner's Court yesterday showed that her death was caused by cardiac respiratory depression due to an opioid drug.
The autopsy on the dead woman was carried out by Dr Niall Gallagher at the Dublin City Morgue but he was unable to attend yesterday's inquest as he is visiting Britain.
The deceased woman's brother, Mr John Moran, of Tooreen, Co Limerick, told the inquest that he was "absolutely flabbergasted" by the pathologist's findings. He said gardai had found no drug containers or other such materials in his sister's flat and he wished to establish exactly what opioid drug was found.
Sgt Anthony Cumiskey said Ms Moran was found lying in casual clothing, face upwards, under bed covers in her flat on April 17th last. Her family and friends claimed she was in good health after spending some days in Limerick with her brother. There was no evidence of forced entry to the flat.
Dr Brian Farrell, the Dublin City Coroner, said it was imperative for the family's sake that he adjourn the hearing until January 24th for other pertinent inquiries and to hear the evidence of the pathologist.