Golf ball found in dead man’s throat
The man, understood to be a businessman from the Dublin area, died suddenly in his home last month, after which a postmortem exam was carried out on behalf of the Dublin Coroner’s Office at St James’s Hospital.
The man’s body was released to a funeral home in Dublin, but during preparations for burial it is alleged that a golf ball was found lodged in the man’s throat.
It is understood that gardaí are now investigating how and when the golf ball came to be lodged there, and whether or not staff at St James’s Hospital failed to detect it.
The Garda press office was unable to comment on the case yesterday, but it is understood they do not view the man’s death as suspicious.
The funeral home where the golf ball was allegedly discovered also said yesterday that it would not be commenting on the case.
It is understood that the golf ball was found when staff at the funeral home began preparations for burial of the body.
It is believed that, on making a small incision to the man’s upper chest and neck, they discovered the golf ball lodged in the man’s throat.
Gardaí were then alerted and have now begun their investigation.
Following the alleged discovery, the body was transferred to the office of the Dublin City Coroner, who has jurisdiction over cases of sudden death or where there are irregularities.
It is uncertain whether a cause of death was determined in the case of the man. It is understood his body has since been laid to rest.
A spokesman for St James’s Hospital said: “St James’s Hospital is cooperating fully with the garda investigation and is awaiting the outcome of this investigation.”
