Pensioner suffers injuries after death

A pensioner in the North suffered a series of rib fractures after dying in hospital, it emerged today.

The Derry medical centre is holding an inquiry after a post-mortem examination of Mary McGinley, 78, revealed the mystery injuries.

The family of the Strabane woman, who died from pneumonia last January at Altnagelvin Hospital, is demanding answers.

West Tyrone Sinn Féin Assembly member Claire McGill, who visited the family, said it came as a major shock.

"It is a difficult situation for them, they really are still grieving for their mother who died not that long ago and when they have just received this particular news it is very difficult," she said.

Post-mortem examination results given to the family's doctor showed 34 rib fractures. The family were told they were sustained after death.

A spokeswoman for the hospital said they had launched an inquiry into the woman's death.

Ms McGill added: "We don't know how the injuries happened, the family are waiting for the information to come back from the inquiry."