Dental records identified Nigerian car-fire victim

A Nigerian woman who was discovered in her burnt-out car in Dublin had to be identified by dental records, an inquest heard tonight.

The body of Shakuratu Abiola Williams (aged 42), from Hendrick Street, off Blackhall Place in Dublin, was found in her silver Nissan car outside her home on October 10, 2006.

Insp. Timmy McCarthy, from Bridewell Garda Station, requested the inquest be adjourned as the garda investigations into the circumstances of the death are ongoing.

He said: “I’m seeking an adjournment under Section 25(1) of the Coroner’s Act 1962 as the garda investigations are not complete in this matter.”

The inquest heard Ms Williams was identified by dental records in the city mortuary.

A post-mortem by deputy State Pathologist Dr Michael Curtis found she died from inhalation of fire gases and extensive burns. The Dublin City Coroner’s Court heard her family were aware of the inquest but were unable to attend.

Insp McCarthy said: “The difficulty was her only family member in the country at that particular time was her son.”

He added: “She had a brother living in London – he was informed but unable to make it.”

The body of Ms Williams was discovered in the driving seat of the car by the fire brigade who were called out to deal with the blaze in the early hours of the morning of October 10 last.

Gardaí discovered her young son asleep in her apartment.

Ms Williams, who was originally from Nigeria, had lived in Ireland for around eight-years and had been working in an Afro-Caribbean store on Bolton Street.

At the time of her death, investigating gardaí appealed to anyone who was living around Hendrick Street or who may have been passing through the area around 4.30am to contact them.

The inquest was adjourned until April 23, 2007 to allow gardaí to continue investigations.