Man's body was found mummified in his home
Friday October 23 2009
A MAN'S body was partially mummified before he was discovered in his home -- five weeks after his death.
The remains of David Barry had begun to mummify after he died on the bed of his Cork home with all the windows and doors closed and locked -- and the electric heating system on.
Concern about the welfare of the 53-year-old had mounted after a teenager had contacted gardai on July 23 last to express concern about the large quantity of flies on the inside windows of the man's home.
The teenager -- who was doing a door-to-door collection for recyclable waste -- was concerned by the sight and the fact there was no answer to his repeated knocks on the door. The TV was also switched on in the sitting room.
Yesterday, a Cork Coroner's inquest heard that Mr Barry -- a single man -- lived alone at No 35 Palmbury Orchard, Lehenaghmore, Cork, in a house that previously belonged to his mother. He was last seen alive by his sister, Valerie Barry, who had driven him into Cork city centre on June 24. Ms Barry said that her brother had suffered from two bouts of tuberculosis -- and had also been treated for repeated chest infections.
Ms Barry would call to her brother's home every month to collect his washing and she last saw him on Washington Street in Cork city centre.
The inquest heard that after concerns about Mr Barry's welfare were raised with gardai, officers went to the house and decided to force their way in.
Gardai were shocked by the large number of blue bottles on the windows and the bad smell coming from the upstairs section of the house.
On investigation, they discovered a body in the advanced stages of decomposition on a bed in an upstairs bedroom. Gardai confirmed that there was no sign of a disturbance.
Assistant State Pathologist Margaret Bolster said that, due to the advanced state of decomposition, it was impossible to determine the cause of death. She also revealed that the body had begun to mummify.
Coroner Dr Myra Cullinane returned an open verdict.
- Ralph Riegel
Irish Independent
