Pathologist to examine exhumed body

Gardaí investigating the activities of a nurse today exhumed the body of a man in his 70s who died earlier this year.

The exhumation happened at 5am today in a graveyard at Baltinglass, Co Wicklow.

The body was taken for examination at the city mortuary in Dublin by deputy state pathologist Dr Marie Cassidy.

She was carrying out toxicology and other tests on the remains.

The nurse involved in the on-going investigation was recently suspended following the establishment of an inquiry into the over-prescribing of medicines to elderly patients at Naas General Hospital in Co Kildare.

It is understood that a total of three cases are being investigated and that the man exhumed today was a patient at the hospital.

Gardaí were alerted last week and their National Bureau of Criminal Investigation was called in.

Sources said the results of the tests being carried out today could determine whether further exhumations were necessary.

The South-Western Health Board said the nurse involved had been working at the hospital for around six months and an independent inquiry had been initiated.