Tragic death recalled of 61-year-old Bernadette
WEXFORD Coroner’s Court heard evidence in the inquest into the death of Bernadette McCormack (61) of Ballygoman, Barntown, and 37 Barrack Street, Wexford.
Garda Jennifer Desmond from Wexford Garda Station gave evidence that she responded to a call at 37 Barrack Street at around 7 p.m. on January 17 last.
The call had come from Linda Busher, a sister-in-law of the deseased, who was concerned for Ms McCormack’s well-being.
Upon arriving at the address, Garda Desmond said that she could see Ms McCormack’s body in the hall through the letter box. She smashed a back window to gain entry to the property, at which point they made the tragic discovery.
A deposition from Ms Busher, who was present, was read aloud by Inspector Sean Clince and said that she had last had contact with Bernadette on January 15.
Pathologist Dr Fergus McSweeney noted that there was a high level of alcohol in Ms McCormack’s system at the time of her death, along with prescription medications at therapeutic levels.
Coroner Dr Sean Nixon recommended that the jury return a verdict of suicide, which they did.
He then offered his sympathies to Ms McCormack’s family, saying: ‘she probably fought very hard with mental health issues and it’s possible that she just couldn’t take any more’.
Inspector Sean Clince and the foreman of the jury also extended their sympathies to the family and Dr Nixon said that a death certificate would be issued to them.