Family passed body three years before find

The family of a woman whose body went undiscovered for three-and-a-half years almost stumbled across her during the early days of a search following her disappearance, an inquest heard yesterday.

The body of Bernie Gavan, aged 59, from Dunsink Drive in Finglas, was found in Mar 2011, in undergrowth on a steep incline beside an electricity pylon in the Tolka Valley Park. She was discovered by children playing football nearby.

No cause of death could be determined, but it is believed Ms Gavan had a heart attack falling into a hole.