Tests to be carried out on man 'dead since Christmas'

Tests will be carried out today on the body of a man whose remains lay undiscovered in his home for three months.

The man, who is believed to have died around Christmas, was found on Sunday.

The alarm was raised by a person who passed his home on Lower John Street, Wexford, and noticed a Christmas tree with the lights still on.

A Garda spokesman said a post-mortem examination will be carried out on the decomposed remains of the man, who is in his 60s.

His identity is not being released until all next of kin have been traced and informed.

Advocacy group Age Action has urged communities across Ireland to be vigilant about the needs of their older neighbours, especially those living alone, in the wake of this weekend’s tragic discovery.

“This sad incident must act as a wake up call for every community,” Age Action spokesman Eamon Timmins said.

“With more than a quarter of older people in Ireland living alone, and loneliness being one of the greatest problems facing many older people, communities have to be vigilant, they have to make special efforts to involve older people in community activities and to remain in regular contact with them.”