'Extremely unusual' - National Ploughing site owner's death a mystery after embalming

A pathologist told an inquest in Tullamore today that he could identify no clear cause of the death of an Offaly farmer because his examination was limited by previous embalming of the body.

The Coroner's Court was told that a post mortem following the death of Joseph Grogan (75), Screggan, Tullamore, on whose land the National Ploughing Championships will take place this year, took place on April 20, 2023, five days after he passed away.

Dr Charles d'Aldhemar, pathologist, gave evidence of carrying out a post mortem but said certain tests could not be done because of prior embalming and hence the cause of death was unascertained.

Dr d'Aldhemar said embalming a body causes extreme constraints for pathologists and can prevent and limit toxicology and microbiology tests.

He said it was extremely unusual to be asked to carry out a post mortem on an embalmed body.

The inquest heard that Mr Grogan had been suffering from cancer prior to his death but had responded well to four cycles of chemotherapy.

His death had been pronounced by an out of hours doctor who called to his residence where he died but the death had not been certified.

When the inquest opened previously in May before being adjourned, there was a reference made by Damien Tansey, lawyer for some members of the Grogan's family, to the deceased's "would be" marriage to Lisa Flaherty the day before he died.

Stephen Byrne, BL, who appeared for Ms Flaherty at the inquest today (Friday, July 4) produced a marriage certificate which was accepted by the coroner, Raymond Mahon.

The inquest is resuming this afternoon.

READ MORE | National Ploughing site owner's marriage 'day before death' questioned at inquest