Woman whose body was found in Waterford home may have lain undiscovered for weeks

Sarah Slater

A woman whose body was found in her home in Co Waterford last Monday may have lain undiscovered for up to two weeks.

Carmel Robinson, who was in her late 60s was discovered by gardaí at her home in Brookside in the seaside village of Passage East.

Neighbours of Ms Robinson, who grew up in the village and is understood to have lived in the UK for most of her working life as a civil servant, became concerned for her welfare when she was not seen for some time.

Ms Robinson lived alone with her pet dog in her semi-detached home located close to the former post office. The body of her dog, with whom she lived, was also found dead in the house.

Gardaí have ruled out foul play following the discovery of her body.

Local Independent councillor Declan Barry said that the entire area was “shocked” to hear of Ms Robinson’s death “in a village where everyone knows everyone. My heart goes out to her relatives".

Cllr Barry said “it’s so sad in this day and age to think that this lady” may have been dead in her home and for some time before being found.

He pointed out that there are very few services left in the village any longer. “The post office was closed, there once was three pubs, now there’s one which opens part-time and the nearest place to buy anything is four kilometers away,” added Cllr Barry.

“People have even taken to taking the car ferry which runs from Passage East across to Ballyhack, Co Wexford to buy food items."

In a statement gardaí said that they are “investigating all the circumstances surrounding the discovery of a deceased woman in her 60s at a domestic residence in Passage East, Co Waterford on Monday".

The office of the Coroner was notified and her body has since been removed to University Hospital Waterford (UHW), where a postmortem examination will take place in due course.

Garda investigations are ongoing.