Mick Clifford: Why are people dying alone and undiscovered?

Human remains being discovered months or years after a death in their own home point to profound issues with loneliness in our society that need to be addressed

While we should certainly not make assumptions about any one person's death, Alone and other advocates say a disconnection from society can sometimes lead to a sad and lonely death.

Joyce O’Mahony’s body was discovered in her home at Brookfield Lawn in the Lough in Cork city earlier this week. She is believed to have died around 18 months ago, although this is yet to be confirmed. 

Ms O'Mahony lived the latter part of her life in the same home where she was reared. Her father Thomas was a GP who had a large practice in the Lough area.