Elderly woman 'lay dead in house for a fortnight'

An inquest has heard a 62-year-old Dublin woman probably lay dead in her house for at least two weeks before her body was discovered.

Maureen Kelly's badly decomposed remains were found in the living room at Wesley Place, Clanbrassil Street on June 21 last year.

Maureen Kelly was described as being in good form when last seen on her 62nd birthday, three weeks before her body was found.

A neighbour said he knew something was wrong and contacted members of her family when on June 21 he looked in the windows of the house and saw bluebottles.

Her nephew Keith today described the bad smell as he entered her home from the kitchen and his panic when he saw his aunt lying on the sofa.

The inquest heard the body was very badly decomposed, an autopsy was unable to accurately establish a cause of death and dental records were required to identify her remains.

Gardaí are satisfied there was no foul play. An empty vodka bottle was found near the body. Her family say she used to 'go on and off the drink'.

Coroner Brian Farrell recorded an open verdict.