AS an extensive investigation began yesterday into the death of an elderly Galway woman, a Garda spokesman said further forensic tests would be needed to determine the cause of her death.
A six-hour post-mortem examination on the body of Ms Mary Morgan found she had suffered superficial injuries to her forehead, face and nose, and to her right leg. Gardai believe an intruder may have killed Ms Morgan in her Bohermore home on Tuesday night.
"A number of laboratory tests will now be conducted and the cause of death is not likely to be known for several days," the spokesman said.
Members of the Garda Technical Bureau carried out an inch-by-inch search of land behind her home yesterday. The search was later extended to a graveyard across the road from her house.
Gardai also carried out a detailed search of Ms Morgan's house and garden and made door-to-door inquiries to determine the sequence of events on Tuesday night.
Ms Morgan's body was found lying face upwards in the back yard of her home. A cooker was fund against the back door.
Local gardai praised the co-operation of the tightly-knit Bohermore community, one of the oldest in Galway city. Neighbours were shocked and alarmed at the apparent murder of Ms Morgan, a well-known figure in the area.
Mr Joe MacPhilbin, who lives nearby, described her as a kind and friendly woman who was liked by everyone. "She used go down for her pension and might have a glass of stout or two," he said. "When the summer came, she'd be out there talking to you."
Another neighbour, Mr Peter Devlin, said he was saddened by the death. "She was a quiet woman, lived on her own. She gave no one no trouble."