Brother found Thomas in tragic circumstances
THE tragic death of a father who lost his daughter 14 months previously to a fatal illness, was recalled.
Thomas Troy, of Crossgale, Tomhaggard, died on April 24 at his home.
Garda Barry Hennessy outlined how he attended Mr Troy’s house, where he met the deceased man’s brother Michael. Michael informed him that he called to visit his brother, only to find him lying motionless on the grass.
Mr Troy’s body was removed to University Hospital Waterford for a post mortem.
Michael Troy said he was visiting family in South Wexford when he decided to call to his brother’s house at 7.20 p.m. He stopped his car in front of his brother’s jeep and immediately saw his brother lying on the ground.
‘I checked for any signs of life but didn’t find any,’ Michael said.
Mr Troy rang Wexford Garda Station and spoke to Garda Declan Mulqueen, requesting for a garda to attend the scene. He contacted his brother Noel and travelled to Tomhaggard to tell his mother who was at Mass and to request the services of a priest to perform the last rites.
Noel Troy said he was speaking to his brother Thomas that day about buying a boat at 4.30 p.m. Thomas told him that he was going to Mass that evening and would call in to the pub the following day to watch a football match.
Consultant pathologist Dr Christine Shilling said she performed a post mortem on Mr Tory the following day at University Hospital Waterford.
Coroner Dr Sean Nixon recommended a verdict of death by suicide. He said Thomas’s daughter Abbie died of natural causes 14 months prior to his passing.
‘I’m sure that had a major impact on Tom,’ he said.
Inquest jury chairperson Mary Mernagh said the jury concurred with Dr Nixon’s verdict, extending her condolences to the Troy family. Dr Nixon expressed his condolence also.
Superintendent John McDonald extended his deepest sympathies on behalf of the gardaí in Wexford to the Troy family, saying: ‘Unfortunately we have all been touched by similar tragedies. We understanhd what you are going through.’