Woman loses battle with alcohol

A young woman found dead in Tralee, Co Kerry, at the weekend had battled alcohol addiction for several years.

The body of Sarah O’Keeffe, 22, from Ballingarry, Co Limerick, was discovered in a town centre laneway, Godfrey Place, about 90 minutes after she had left Arlington Lodge, a centre for people with addiction problems.

Its manager Tom Wall yesterday said she had been going through a lapse at the time of her death, adding that was not unique to her as it was part of homelessness and addiction.

“A huge amount of work was done for Sarah over the years. Many people worked hard for her and she did appreciate that. She had been in treatment several times and it worked out well for her at different times, but the supports which are needed are not there.”

Mr Wall said she had a lot of physical ailments, as well as addiction, and a combination of things had led to her death.

Gardaí are not treating her death as suspicious and are awaiting the results of an autopsy.

— Donal Hickey