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.

Ms Cassidy told the court that there were pressure ulcers on Evelyn Joel’s back and leg, and breaking of the skin, while there was also evidence of inflammation on parts of her body.

She also said that on her chest and back of her left shoulder there were ulcers with some grey areas around them that suggested they were still infected when carrying out the postmortem on January 9, 2006.

“There were also ulcers down her spine with the largest inflammations around the hip, while there was also ulceration of the inner thigh on right side that extended just about down to the knee cap. A further ulceration was found on her ankle while there were marks on the left side of one of her legs one would associate with bruising,” Ms Cassidy said.

“However, there was no contamination of the joints with no evidence of being physically assaulted.

“There was also no evidence of any head injuries but there was extensive brain damage due to multiple sclerosis, while her brain was small and surrounded by fluid, with the condition of her brain being related to multiple sclerosis,” she said.

The trial continues on Tuesday.