A straight-A student who had completed a law degree at Trinity College Dublin committed suicide weeks before sitting her solicitors' exams at Blackhall Place, Dublin, due to exam-related stress.
An inquest heard that the 22-year-old, who had a history of anxiety before and during examinations, hung herself last September.
Her father told Dublin Coroners Court that she often got anxious and stressed about examinations but always did exceptionally well. He added that she did not suffer from clinical depression and that the problem only arose around exam time.
"She just got very stressed when exam time came."
He told the court that his daughter had attempted suicide previously after sitting a college exam in which she thought she had performed badly. She took an overdose but survived after being rushed to hospital. She was released three days later and completed her exams, which she did very well in, he said.
Sgt Brian Clune from Howth Garda station investigated the death.
"She was top of the class in Trinity. I get the impression she worried in exams but she always did exceptionally well."
The court heard that the young woman visited her GP a couple of days before her death because she felt "stressed out" about the forthcoming exams.
Her doctor prescribed a drug to try and alleviate her anxiety.
However, her father said his daughter was still very anxious in the days following the visit to her doctor and was not eating or drinking.
She had just agreed to go with him to Beaumont hospital, Dublin, to seek help when she disappeared from the house.
"She went up to her room to get dressed before we went to the hospital but then left the house without any of us noticing," he said.
The court heard that she went to a nearby Homebase store and bought a length of rope before she went to St Anne's Park.
Her body was discovered hanging from a tree hours after she went missing by off-duty Garda Sgt Thomas Moore.
Coroner Dr Brian Farrell recorded a verdict of death by suicide and commiserated with the family.
"She simply became over-wrought prior to examinations . . . I hope and pray you will be able to find the strength to bear this tragedy.
"The only small word of comfort is that she died instantaneously," Dr Farrell said.