British detectives today supervised the exhumation of the remains of a woman from a graveyard in Co Westmeath.
The body of Patricia Lynott was taken to a mortuary in Dublin where a post-mortem examination was due to be carried out later today.
A team of detectives from West Midlands Police travelled to Ireland yesterday to begin preparations for today's exhumation at a graveyard in Athlone.
Ms Lynott, 47, died last October in Birmingham. An inquest was opened and adjourned into her death, but a cause of death was not established.
Following her death her remains were taken to Ireland for burial in Athlone, where she was originally from.
It is reported that the re-examination of a series of murders dating back to the 1980s prompted detectives to seek to exhume the body.
A garda spokesman said: "The body has been exhumed and taken to a mortuary in Dublin where a post-mortem will be carried out by Irish state pathologist, Dr John Harbison."
It is understood Ms Lynott was separated, with two children, and had lived in Birmingham for almost 10 years.
Arrangements are being made for Ms Lynott's remains to be returned to Athlone later today for a private reburial by members of her family.
PA