Foul play was ruled out last night in the deaths of Mr James Hynan (79) and his wife, Elizabeth (75), after the couple were found in a field at the back of their Portaliffe, Co Cavan, home on Monday evening.
The preliminary findings of a post-mortem examination, carried out by the assistant State Pathologist, Dr Marie Cassidy, point to death from natural causes. Mr Hynan, a retired gardener, got stuck in heavy soil in a field behind his house, and when his wife went to his aid, she, too, was disabled by the mud.
The couple's struggle to free themselves, and exposure to Monday's stormy weather conditions, contributed largely to their deaths, according to initial findings of the post-mortem examinations.
Mr Hynan was last seen alive near his home at approximately 11 a.m. on Monday, and the couple's bodies were found at 5 p.m. Mr and Mrs Hynan, who were described as a quiet and reserved couple, had no children. They moved back to retire in the Killeshandra area 15 years ago, after spending the majority of their working lives in the UK. Mrs Hynan had two married sisters living in the Belturbet area of Co Cavan.