Hundreds expected at removal of murdered widow

HUNDREDS of people are expected to pack St Patrick’s Church in Kilbrittain, Co Cork, tonight for the removal of Anne Corcoran, the 60-year-old widow whose body was found in a shallow grave last Friday.

It is believed she died from blunt force trauma to the head, after being tied up. An attempt was also made to burn her body before she was buried in the shallow grave at Garretstown Wood.

Gardaí have refused to comment on the findings of the post-mortem examination at Cork University Hospital by Assistant State Pathologist Dr Margaret Bolster.

They say their investigation is ongoing and it is understood that more than 20 officers are working on the case.

Gardaí are still carrying out a forensic examination of a house they sealed off in Bandon last week.

Several hundred people took part in searches after the widow was reported missing from her home at Maulaskimlahane, near Kilbrittain.

A painter who called to her home on Wednesday, January 28, contacted gardaí when he found Ms Corcoran’s dogs locked inside and in a distressed state. Gardaí knew the widow wouldn’t leave her dogs alone and immediately started looking for her.

Ms Corcoran’s green Peugeot 206 was found the same day parked near a stream at Old Chapel, on the outskirts of Bandon. It is still being technically examined at Garda headquarters in Dublin.

Ms Corcoran’s requiem Mass will take place at St Patrick’s Church, Kilbrittain, at noon tomorrow. Her body will be buried in the local cemetery.

Oliver Hayes, of 10 Clancool Terrace, Bandon, was charged last Friday at Bandon District Court with the false imprisonment of Ms Corcoran on a date unknown between January 19 and 21 last.

He was remanded in custody to appear at a sitting of Kinsale District Court on Thursday.