Irish Examiner view: Neighbours who make decision to ‘withdraw’

The house in Cloneen, Co Tipperary, where English couple Nick and Hilary Smith were found dead. Picture: Neil Michael

The strange case of Nick and Hilary Smith, pensioners who apparently took a decision to “withdraw from society” and whose mummified bodies were not found at their home at Rossane, near Cloneen, Co Tipperary for some 18 months, continues to evoke poignancy for rural Ireland and its sense of community.

This week’s inquest heard that resin or glue had been inserted into the locks of the front and back doors; crockery and possessions were smashed; neighbours had been told by the couple that they were moving to France and “significant donations” had been made by them to a number of charities in November and December 2020.