We need your help now
Support from readers like you keeps The Journal open.
You are visiting us because we have something you value. Independent, unbiased news that tells the truth. Advertising revenue goes some way to support our mission, but this year it has not been enough.
If you've seen value in our reporting, please contribute what you can, so we can continue to produce accurate and meaningful journalism. For everyone who needs it.
Sign in. It’s quick, free and it’s up to you.
An account is an optional way to support the work we do. Find out more.
By continuing, you are indicating that you accept our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.
GARDAÍ IN WEXFORD are investigating after the body of a woman in her 80s was found in her home in the town last night.
The discovery was made at around 9.30pm last night, a garda spokesperson said.
Her body has been taken to University Hospital Waterford where a post-mortem examination will be carried out.
The results of the post-mortem will determine the course of the investigation.
It’s understood the woman’s body may have been at the location for some time before last night’s discovery.
To embed this post, copy the code below on your site
Very sad.
Poor woman obviously died a lonely death.
RIP.
2 months before she was found.
Is that true Apogee? If that’s the case, this is the saddest thing I’ve read in a long time. The poor poor woman, she must have been very lonely. How on earth is that possible in this day and age.
Would be nice if elderly people who do not collect their pension for a couple of weeks are looked up to make sure their ok? Don’t think this method of communication would be all that hard in this day and age?
Unfortunately, a lot of pensioners have their pension lodged directly into their bank accounts.
So true -still would be nice for the services to link in when things lie dormant? just a flag app ?
Yes Andrea. The IT ran with it earlier and said “up to 2 months”
She lead a reclusive life noone fault her wishes, some elderely get set in their way’s and nothing can be done they get so fussy,narkey and can impossible to deal with, very sad thou…
It has happened before in Wexford and the duration was a good bit longer than the reported time in this instance. Unfortunately another case comes to mind also in Wexford of a couple and their elderly relative that they were ‘caring for’ but who died in the most apppaling circumstances while they creamed off her social welfare entitlements.
I remember that Brendan…poor woman.
Rip. Is there any national organisation that has volunteers who visit vulnerable neighbours weekly? I’d be willing to give up a few hours a week.
It’s impossible to do that for any organisation now, I’ve looked into it. They just suggested that I check in on elderly neighbours myself. I suppose it’s a safety issue as they would be held accountable if one of their volunteers stole from or hurt one of their elderly clients.
That’s true Andrea, you’d have to be vetted and it can take months
I am already vetted and explained that on the phone but it didn’t matter. This was during the really awful snow 4 years ago and I was wondering if there were any elderly people needing their shopping done. I lived in a new estate at the time and there wasn’t a single elderly person in the whole estate.
Philip..I’m sure there are people who drop regularly into vulnerable peoples houses…..
There are a few that ring elderly people every morning.
Unfortunately vetting for one situation is not transferable to another. I need vetting for each group I work with even though I work with the same age group in various communities.
True joachin , some are not volunteers either
Ah Sis you read me like a pamphlet…you’re good you are…
Alone, is the main charity for this type of voluntary service
Bro , great minds think alike !
It is absolutely shocking to think that no neighbours missed her coming or going. That the postman did not notice a build up of mail on the floor. That the lady did not receive meals on wheels or that the district nurse and other health workers including her gp did not notice she had not collected any prescriptions or had not gone for her flu jab etc. A lady of her age would more than likely of been a church goer but nobody noticed she had not attended mass. But what is more shocking is that the lady died alone and was left alone for possibly months. How self centred and self involved are we as a race. So heartbreaking to read this story, may she rest in peace and may those who let her slip through the system hang their head in shame
Back in the 90′s when the boom began that type of social cohesion/consideration fell away..
Couldn’t agree with you more, terribly sad and blind we and our ‘communities’ have been become
bethler..I lived it,I’ve always lived in the middle of nowhere,those folk weren’t materialistic,there was no keeping up with the Jones,then the early 90′s…lots of Dubliners relocated to the country,they and locals began to build bigger and more ostentatious houses with remote electric gates,walls and other security features…Sundays were for shopping,these people began to “flip” their houses,to display their wealth..the old customs,ways,informalities were discouraged..
I know someone who lives abroad and posts a letter home every week to her elderly relative so that there is somebody calling to the house every week , just in case anything happened to her .winter’s here and sadly I don’t think this will be the only time we hear of this happening .
In remote parts of the country rural postmen are often the only contact many elderly people have.
Life is so much different in rural Ireland than in towns and cities.
Having said that, cities can often be the loneliest places on earth and people have remained undiscovered in populated areas also.
Loneliness is a killer.
When you select the option to volunteer, it doesn’t allow you to go any further. The organisation doesn’t accept volunteers anymore. People can donate their time to help teach computer skills to elderly classes though if anybody is interested?
Joachin. I’m well aware that lots of people drop in to visit vulnerable people. I’ve done so myself just a few times. I believe a lot more could be achieved if people worked together in local groups.
Philip..I agree..and I think the huge emigration of young adults in the last 8-9 years can only have exacerbated this situation in rural Ireland.
Philip..it’s too big an undertaking for local groups..it needs funding from central government…but it is vital.
have your say