Mum-to-be found dead after leaving hospital

A PREGNANT woman who absconded from a psychiatric hospital was found dead at home two weeks later, an inquest in Cork heard yesterday.

Ann Gloster, aged 38, who was six months’ pregnant, died after contracting pneumonia and a severe infection.

Yesterday’s hearing was told Ms Gloster was admitted as an involuntary patient at Cork’s Mercy Hospital on November 18 last year.

Her family took her to the hospital’s St Michael’s psychiatric unit after becoming seriously concerned about her physical and mental wellbeing.

But 18 days later she absconded after telling staff she was going outside briefly so she could give some money to her boyfriend William Dunne.

Gardaí were alerted but they could not get a reply when they visited the couple’s home in Errigal Heights, the Glen, in the northside of Cork.

Her family became increasingly concerned for her and two weeks later, on December 22, gardaí broke down the door of her home and found her dead in bed.

She had been seen alive earlier that day.

Assistant State Pathologist Dr Margaret Bolster carried out a post-mortem examination and found Ms Gloster died of pneumonia and a severe infection.

The unborn baby boy she had been carrying was healthy.

Cork City Coroner Dr Myra Cullinane recorded a verdict of misadventure on Ms Gloster.

He added that the baby had died due to the mother’s death.