AN UNDERTAKER in Kenmare has said he helped place a 91-year-old dead woman into a coffin after her corpse was transported to this country, apparently by her son.
The woman, who was frail and had been in a wheelchair, had died of natural causes in Valetta, Malta, on September 24th while on holiday with her son.
Her body had been flown to Gatwick airport in a sealed coffin with proper documentation. However, on October 4th the corpse was transported into this country apparently by her son, named locally as Nathan Whigham, in his early 60s, and this was without notice to the authorities, Kerry-south coroner Terence Casey has said.
Sources say they believe the corpse was brought in via Rosslare in a rental car, but was not declared at customs. The mother and son had been living in Kenmare town centre since Easter.
When gardaí arrived at the house on October 18th, on the instructions of Mr Casey, Mr Whigham and his elderly mother’s remains had disappeared.
Yesterday Kenmare undertaker John Finnegan said Mr Whigham contacted him two weeks ago. Mr Finnegan said he called to the house where the corpse was laid out and he assisted Mr Whigham in putting the body into the coffin. It was then placed in an estate car.
Gardaí believe Mr Whigham left through the North.