Open verdict in death of baby whose mother was charged with murder but who died before trial

Joshua Smith Murray suffered a fatal skull fracture at his home at Barley Hill, Bohola, Co Mayo on December 28, 2016

Former State pathologist Marie Cassidy told the inquest into the death of infant Joshua Smith Murray she could not say if the fatal skull fracture had been caused by a third party but also that she believed such an injury could not be sustained 'without the knowledge of a carer'. Picture: Colin Keegan/Collins

An open verdict has been returned into the death of a four-month-old baby boy from Mayo almost eight years ago, whose mother was charged with his murder but who died before the case could go to trial.

An inquest heard how uncertainty remains over how Joshua Smith Murray suffered a fatal skull fracture after suddenly becoming unwell at his home at Barley Hill, Bohola, Co Mayo on December 28, 2016.