Student died of sudden illness

A CORK Institute of Technology student whose body was discovered in a house in Bishopstown midweek was due to celebrate her 21st birthday in the next few weeks.

Niamh Herlihy from Monagea, Co Limerick, died from a sudden illness, due to natural causes.

She had planned to celebrate her birthday on Saturday fortnight with a big family gathering in Flavin’s bar in Newcastle West. She had worked part-time at the bar.

Gardaí said they were treating Niamh’s death as a “tragic sudden” death and a postmortem examination had been carried out.

Her father, Liam, works for Cavanagh’s of Charleville car dealership.

Niamh’s older brother, Seán, was a member of the Limerick senior hurling panel last season.

Fr David Gibson, parish pries of Monagea, said Niamh’s death has devastated the entire community.

He said: “There are no words to describe such a tragedy, to see such a young life lost.”

It is believed her family became alarmed after they were unable to make contact with Niamh and travelled to Cork to check on her.