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The elderly Smith couple [Nicholas (Nick) aged 82 years and Hilary aged 78 years] are believed to have been dead for some 18 months before their bodies, sadly, were discovered in Cloneen, Thurles, Co. Tipperary, in June of last year (2022).
Their discovery lead many to wonder how often anybody had called to the couple’s door to ask after them. However, new information regarding the mysterious deaths of the reclusive couple made public yesterday, may possibly indicate that they were extremely worried about healthcare facilities in Ireland.
The couple, a retired sea captain from England and his wife, remained undiscovered, in their remote rural home in the Cloneen area of Tipperary, for a year and a half, before suspicious neighbours alerted the authorities, having noticed that their car had not been moved for quite some time. When Garda officers arrived at their place of residence, they found the body of Mr Smith in a bedroom, and the body of Mrs Smith in the sitting room. It was clear from the physical state of both corpses that the couple had been deceased for several months.
It has now been revealed that a torn-up letter recovered from a bin in their home may shed new light on their solitary lives here in Ireland, which may have led and their subsequent deaths.
In a torn five page letter, now pieced back together by a handwriting expert from An Garda Síochána; same reveals that the couple were apprehensive regarding health care facilities then available to them.
Their letter claimed sadly that elderly people were “at risk” from physicians and they “should never have set foot in Ireland”.
The torn five page document also detailed the poor physical state of Mrs Smith, prior to her death, stating that she was “weak due to lack of food” and she was writing with “arthritic hands”.
Garda inquiries leave them to believe that Mr and Mrs Smith were last seen alive just a week before Christmas 2020. On December 17th, 2020, the couple collected a prescription from a pharmacy in Callan, Co Kilkenny, some 20km (12mls) away. Investigators have also examined other documents, a mobile phone and a laptop located and removed from the Smith residence, and have so far not found any evidence which suggests that either of the couple were alive later than December 17th, 2020.
  
It was with great sadness that we learned of the death, today Thursday 20th July 2023, of Mrs Elizabeth Philomena O’Dwyer (née Tobin), Corbally, Drangan, Thurles, Co. Tipperary, and formerly of Knockgraffon, Cahir, Co. Tipperary.
Pre-deceased by her beloved husband Billy, brothers Gus and Pat, sisters Gertie and May; the passing of Mrs O’Dwyer is most deeply regretted by her brother Fr. Tom Tobin (Montana, USA), extended relatives, neighbours and friends.
Requiescat in Pace.
Funeral Arrangements.
The funeral cortège, bearing the earthly remains of Mrs O’Dwyer, will leave O’Connell’s Funeral Home Killenaule, Thurles, on Sunday morning, July 23rd, at 10:30am, before being received into the Church of the Immaculate Conception, Drangan, Thurles at 10:45am to repose for Requiem Mass at 11:00am. Following Mass, interment will take place, immediately afterwards, in Assumption Graveyard, Drangan, Thurles, Co. Tipperary.
The extended O’Dwyer family wish to express their appreciation for your understanding at this difficult time.
Suaimhneas síoraí dá h-anam dílis
It was with great sadness that we learned of the death, today Thursday 20th July 2023, of Mr Tom O’Brien, Galbally, Co. Limerick and late of Cathedral Street, Thurles, Co. Tipperary.
Pre-deceased by his parents Joe and Rosa, sister Eleanor and brothers John, Joe and Eugene; Mr O’Brien passed away peacefully while in the care of staff at University Hospital Limerick.
His passing is most deeply regretted and sadly missed by his brother-in-law Derek O’Connell (Thurles), sisters-in-law Catherine O’Brien (Thurles) and Catherine O’Callaghan, nephews, nieces, grandnephews, grandnieces, cousins, extended relatives, neighbours and friends.
Requiescat in Pace.
Funeral Arrangements.
Funeral arrangements will be published later as soon as details are confirmed.
The extended O’Brien family wish to express their appreciation for your understanding at this difficult time and have made arrangements for those persons wishing to send messages of condolence, to use the link shown HERE.
In ár gcroíthe go deo.
It was with great sadness that we learned of the death, today Thursday 20th July 2023, of Sergeant Martin (Murty) Purcell, Glenville, Co. Cork; formerly of Married Quarters, Collins Barracks, Co. Cork and late of Loughmore, Templemore, Co. Tipperary.
Sergeant Purcell passed away peacefully, while in the loving care of staff at CareChoice, Whites Cross, Ballynoe, Co. Cork.
His passing is most deeply regretted and sadly missed by his wife Ann, children Martin, Margaret and David, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, sisters Phil, Hannah and Mary, brothers Jimmy, Liam and Michael, extended relatives, neighbours and friends.
Requiescat in Pace.
Funeral Arrangements.
The earthly remains of Sergeant Purcell will repose at Mayfield Funeral Home, Old Youghal Road, Montenotte, Co. Cork on Friday afternoon, July 21st, from 3:00pm until 4:00pm.
His remains will be received into the Church of St. Joseph Church, Glenville, Co. Cork, to further repose for Requiem Mass at 1.00pm, on Saturday afternoon, July 22nd, followed by cremation immediately afterwards at The Island Crematorium, Rocky Island, Spike Island, Ringaskiddy, Co. Cork.
For those persons who are unable to attend the funeral service for Sergeant Purcell, same can be viewed, streamed live online HERE.
The extended Purcell family wish to express their appreciation for your understanding at this difficult time and have made arrangements for those persons wishing to send messages of condolence, to use the link shown HERE.
Note Please: Family flowers only.
Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam dílis.
A former resident of Croke Street, Thurles, Co. Tipperary has avoided an eight month prison sentence, following an assault which occurred at an acute psychiatric unit, on 81 year old patient Mr Gearoid McHugh, leaving latter victim with a brain injury.
Thirty four year old, Mr Brendan McCormack appeared before Ennis Circuit Court, having previously pleaded guilty to the single charge of assault.
Mr Justice Francis Comerford, in sentencing, stated that he accepted that Mr McCormack was struggling from a psychotic episode, when he punched Mr McHugh, while in the acute psychiatric unit, at Ennis General Hospital, on April 24th, 2019 last.
Mr McCormack was only in the acute psychiatric unit some three hours previously, having been brought there by Gardaí as an involuntary admission, and prior to the assault taking place.
Mr McHugh with an address at Quin, Co Clare, was already extremely ill, prior to the assault and sadly passed away almost 5 weeks later, on May 28th, 2019.
In his judgment, Mr Justice Comerford stated that it had not been established that there was any acceleration brought about leading to the death of Mr McHugh, as a result of the single blow from Mr McCormack.
Judge Comerford, however, did imposed an eight month suspended prison term on Mr McCormack, with the condition that he remain under the care of his local mental health services and absent himself from the continuous use of both illegal drugs and alcohol.
In terms of mitigation Judge Comerford stated that there was no premeditation, no weapon and it was a single blow.
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