AN ELDERLY woman who was found lifeless on the kitchen floor by her next-door neighbour died of hypothermia, an inquest has heard.
Dublin city coroner Dr Brian Farrell said Margaret Kane (81) would have fallen and may have lain in that position for up to 12 hours. He recorded a verdict of death by misadventure.
Ms Kane, Russell Avenue, Drumcondra, was found on February 6th, 2009, by her neighbour Robert Cousins who went to check her after receiving a call from one of her friends who was unable to contact her.
An inquest at Dublin City Coroner’s Court heard that Ms Kane had no heating in her house apart from an electric heater which Mr Cousins had given her and that her house was very cold.
Mr Cousins said Ms Kane had become very ill and he used to drive her to her doctor a lot. She had become exceptionally frail since before Christmas. He last saw her on February 4th when he dropped her into town.