Pneumonia caused Evelyn Joel’s death

THE death of Evelyn Joel was due to pneumonia while there was no evidence to support any claim of long-term starvation.

Marie Cassidy, state pathologist, testified on the third day of the trial of Ms Joel’s daughter, Eleanor, 37, and her partner, Jonathan Costen, 39, of Cluain Dara, Enniscorthy, Co Wexford, before Judge Gerard Griffin at Wexford Circuit Criminal Court yesterday.

Eleanor and Mr Costen have pleaded not guilty to unlawfully killing by neglect and reckless endangerment of multiple sclerosis sufferer, Evelyn Joel, between December 1, 2005, and January 7, 2006.