The body of Mrs Maisie Power, a 76 year old woman, was discovered by neighbours who broke into her home in Cork city after not seeing her for several days. Her 47 year old mentally handicapped daughter was with her and appeared unaware her mother was dead.
The Southern Health Board is considering what it can do as the daughter's only relative lives in Britain and cannot care for her.
The daughter, Ms Christina Power, who has not been outside her home for years, has refused to leave the Corporation house at Mount Nebo Avenue. The health board arranged for a hospital bed for Ms Power so she could be medically assessed but yesterday had her assessed at her home. A statement from the board said it would act on the assessment immediately, taking into account the woman's needs.