Evelyn Joel died of pneumonia, says Cassidy

The death of Evelyn Joel was due to pneumonia, state pathologist Marie Cassidy has told Wexford Circuit Criminal Court.

Dr Cassidy told the court that Mrs Joel was comatose on admission to hospital. Mrs Joel had previously been diagnosed with MS and was bed ridden. She died in Wexford General Hospital on Jan 7, 2006, less than a week after paramedics removed her from the house where she lived with her daughter, Eleanor, and Eleanor’s partner, Jonathan Costen.

Eleanor Joel, aged 38, and Mr Costen, aged 40, of Cluain Dara, Enniscorthy, Co Wexford, both deny the unlawful killing of Mrs Joel by neglect.