An inquest was told yesterday how a 42-year-old mother died of hypothermia and exposure after failing to find her way home following a social night out in Ennis, Co Clare, last December.
The jury at the inquest in Ennis heard that Maria Talbot, of Claremount, Clarecastle, was dropped off a quarter-of-a-mile from her home following a Christmas office party in the early hours of December 3rd.
In his evidence, Ennis businessman Eoin Fanning said at 11.30am that morning he found the mother of two lying on the ground near a warehouse in Clarecastle.
He said Ms Talbot's face was very blue and that she groaned when he tried to move her from where she was.
Mr Fanning said he got a very faint pulse from Ms Talbot, and called the emergency services to the scene. "Her arm was frozen and she was soaked right through."
Ms Talbot was taken to Ennis General Hospital, where attempts were made over five hours to revive her. However, she was pronounced dead just after 5pm.
The inquest was told that Ms Talbot worked as an accountant, was divorced and the mother of two teenage sons.
In his evidence, Ennis taxi driver Tom Griffin said that Ms Talbot asked to be taken to "Primrose Gardens" in Clarecastle, and when he reached the address Ms Talbot got out of the car.
In his report, Assistant State Pathologist Dr Michael Curtis said the background to the case was that Ms Talbot attended a staff party and had consumed a large quantity of alcohol.
He said her body temperature was 23C, and had suffered profound hypothermia.
Dr Curtis said that 32C is regarded as profound hypothermia, and at anything below 29C the chances of survival were extremely slim.
After deliberating, the jury returned a verdict of Ms Talbot dying from exposure and hypothermia.
County coroner Isobel O'Dea said: "This was a tragic outcome on a social night out."
Insp Tom Kennedy said: "This was a dreadful accident, and was totally unfortunate. The same night was a very, very bad night with wind and rain."
