A jury has returned a finding of unlawful killing in the case of a Churchill man found dead at his home a decade ago.
A three day inquest into Seamus Doherty’s death finished late on Friday. As well as a verdict of unlawful killing the jury of four women and two men made six recommendations arising from An Garda Síochána’s handling of the investigation.
Mr Doherty was found dead on the bathroom floor of his home at Drumnacoo in the early hours of June 17 2012.
Gardaí initially treated the 67-year-old’s death as sudden and unexplained. It was not until local pathologist Gerry O’Dowd pointed out bruising and marks to the deceased’s head and neck that the case was referred to state pathologist Professor Marie Cassidy.
Following her examination, more than two days after the discovery of the body, the incident was upgraded to a murder investigation.
During a gruelling three days inquest evidence was given by three of those who were in the Doherty house on the night of the murder – Samual ‘Jim’ Clarke, Martina Spokes and Mr Doherty’s wife Ann. A fourth person, John McArt, has since passed away.
Eight Garda officers of various ranks also spoke from the witness box as did consultant pathologist O’Dowd. Professor Cassidy, now retired, addressed the inquest via video link.
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