Sympathies extended to family following the death of Rathnure father of three

THE DEATH of a father of three at his home was recalled.

Peter Gerard Kehoe died aged 40 at the shed in his home on May 7.

Garda Deirdre Callinan said she was called to the farm yard at the deceased man’s house in Monamolin, Rathnure, at 9.30 a.m. There she met P.J.’s wife Pamela who told her that she went looking for him in the shed, only to discover his remains. The inquest jury heard that Ms Kehoe identified her husband’s remains to gardaí.

Consultant pathologist Dr Rob Landers said he carried out an autopsy on Mr Kehoe on the following day at University Hospital Waterford.

A sister of Mr Kehoe asked the pathologist when her brother had died and Dr Landers replied that he could not say exactly when the time of death occurred as after four hours it is impossible to determine exact times.

Coroner Dr Sean Nixon recommended a verdict of death by suicide which the inquest jury concurred with. Jury chairperson Mary Mernagh extended her sympathies with the Kehoe family on behalf of the jury.

Dr Nixon said: ‘We would like to extend our condolences to the Kehoe family on this very, very sad and tragic loss.’

Superintendent John McDonald said: ‘There are a lot of people, including ourselves, who have dealt with similar situations and we appreciate the circumstances you find yourselves in and we offer our deepest sympathies.’