The remains of an elderly Co Mayo woman who was found dead on Monday in the bungalow home she shared with her sister and brother were brought to Cork city yesterday for a detailed pathological examination.
Dr Margaret Bolster, a forensic pathologist, is expected to carry out a post mortem examination in Cork today. One of the primary purposes of her involvement is to determine when precisely Ms Agnes Lyons from Aghamore, Ballyhaunis, died.
The body of Ms Lyons, a pensioner and single woman who lived with her sister, Mary Ellen, and brother, Sonny, was found in her bed by a family doctor on Monday.
The doctor had been called out to attend to Mary Ellen who hurt her leg after a fall in the bathroom. When the doctor asked about Agnes's wellbeing, he was directed to the bedroom where he made the grim discovery.
Initial medical observations suggest Ms Lyons may have been dead for at least months and possibly up to a year or even longer. Neighbours say they hadn't seen her in the past year but felt there was nothing seriously wrong as she had become more withdrawn.
Following consultation yesterday between Dr Gerard Solan, pathologist at Mayo General Hospital, and the coroner for south Mayo, Mr John O'Dwyer, it was decided to ask the State Pathologist, Dr Marie Cassidy, to carry out a post mortem.
As Dr Cassidy is on holidays, it was then decided the post mortem should be carried out by Dr Bolster in Cork. The coffined remains were removed from the morgue at Mayo General Hospital shortly after 2 p.m. yesterday and brought to Cork by Kilcoyne Undertakers.
The bungalow where the Lyons family lived in the quiet townland of Carrownedan was unoccupied yesterday. Mary Ellen is in hospital for treatment to her injured leg and her brother is staying with relations.
In recent years, say locals, Ms Lyons had become increasingly reclusive. The only member of the family seen regularly was Sonny, who did the shopping.