A retired sea captain and his wife who were found mummified at their remote Tipperary bungalow had been dead for at least a year - as mystery still surrounds their death.
Nicholas Smith, 82, who joined the Merchant Navy and then worked on cruise ships in Australia, died of severe coronary artery disease, their inquest has heard. Chief State Pathologist Dr Linda Mulligan said that gardai had been unable to ascertain a cause of death for his wife, Hillary, 79, as her body was so severely decomposed.
Foul play was not a factor in the deaths of the British nationals at their home in Rossane, Clonee, who were described by neighbours as a “private couple.” They had been married since 1967 - their bodies were found in June last year.
