Latest news with #NationalPloughingChampionships
Irish Examiner
5 days ago
- Health
- Irish Examiner
Free farmer health checks to be provided nationwide over next 14 weeks
A 'Farmer Health Checks Programme' spearheaded by the IFA, in partnership with Croí Heart and Stroke Charity, announced the nationwide roll-out. This initiative is supported by DAFM after an open call for farm safety, health and wellbeing projects offering free health checks for farmers and their families. 'Often the focus is on the health of our livestock and land rather than on our own health and wellbeing. This programme is a practical reminder that looking after yourself is part of running a strong, sustainable farm,' said IFA Farm Family and Social Affairs Chair Teresa Roche. The health checks will be set up at livestock marts across the country over the next 14 weeks. Check-ups will also be available at the Tullamore show and National Ploughing Championships. Speaking at the launch of the programme at Ballymahon Livestock Mart in Longford, IFA President Francie Gorman appealed to farmers to take the time to attend their nearest health check and to be more conscious of their health in challenging times for agriculture. 'Following a very successful roll-out last year, this initiative provides a great opportunity for farmers to participate in a health check process at a time and place that suits them. This year's launch is also timely as it falls during Farm Safety Week. "Having peace of mind that your health is good is important in facing daily tasks that carry risks,' he said. Minister of state with special responsibility for farm safety, Michael Healy-Rae, said: 'Last year, almost half of participants who availed of the health checks presented with elevated blood pressure or cholesterol levels. "This demonstrates the need for farmers to prioritise their health and wellbeing, and I am urging all farmers to take the time to avail of these free health checks.' The minister said he was delighted to support the now expanded programme and to build on the success of last year's pilot programme. Chief Executive of Croí Heart and Stroke Charity, Mark O'Donnell, said Croí is proud to continue its partnership with the IFA on this important initiative. 'Up to 80% of heart disease and stroke is preventable, and these free health checks give farmers a real chance to take control of their health. By bringing early detection and expert advice directly to marts, we're making it easier for farmers to take a simple, practical step that could change — or even save — their lives,' explained Mr O'Donnell. For a full list of locations and dates, please visit the IFA website. Read More Flourishing women's shed movement denied Government funding
BreakingNews.ie
16-07-2025
- BreakingNews.ie
Coroner rejects calls to refer details to gardaí after Offaly farmer (75) dies day after wedding
A coroner has rejected calls to refer the circumstances of the death of an Offaly farmer (75) on the day after he got married to gardaí for a detailed forensic investigation. The dramatic application was made at the conclusion of a three-day inquest into the death of Joe Grogan (75) who died at his home in Screggan, Tullamore, Co Offaly on April 15th, 2023 just 24 hours after he got married to to his part-time carer, Lisa Flaherty, in a registry office unknown to any of his relatives who were unaware the couple were even in a relationship. Advertisement Mr Grogan was a well-known figure in Irish farming circles for hosting the National Ploughing Championships between 2016 and 2018, while the farm will also stage this year's event in September. The inquest at Offaly Coroner's Court in Tullamore heard that Ms Flaherty – a special needs assistant and mother of three who was 26 years junior to her husband– stands to inherit the 220-acre farm which is valued at €5.5 million as his widow. It had previously heard that the cause of the farmer's death could not be determined because it was embalmed before a postmortem could be carried out which restricted the tests that could be conducted by a pathologist. The farmer had been diagnosed with Stage IV Non-Hodgkin lymphoma (a form of blood cancer) in January 2023 and had responded well to treatment, although Ms Flaherty gave evidence that he believed he was dying. Advertisement On Tuesday, counsel for three cousins of the deceased – Alo, Margaret and Seán Grogan – Damien Tansey SC, called on the coroner, Raymond Mahon, not to return a verdict and to refer the matter to the DPP for a forensic examination of Mr Grogan's death by gardaí. Mr Tansey said it would be most unfair to the farmer's memory and to his family if the request was declined. Separately, Peter Jones, a solicitor for an aunt of the deceased, Teresa Mooney, also asked the coroner to refer the death to gardaí and to return an open verdict. Mr Jones claimed the inquest had left 'an awful lot of unanswered questions' and the circumstances of Mr Grogan's death could only be challenged by trained personnel used to investigating 'suspicious deaths.' Advertisement However, Mr Mahon returned a narrative verdict based on extensive evidence and claimed the farmer's death was probably due to an infection on the balance of probabilities. He noted the deceased was a person with a Stage IV high grade cancer who was receiving chemotherapy treatment with a compromised immune system who had also suffered 'significant weight loss". Mr Grogan's weight went from 79kg in June 2022 to 67.6kg at the time he was diagnosed with cancer and to 51kg at the time of his death. The coroner said evidence from witnesses of Mr Grogan's 'slow, elongated decline' lent support to his view that Mr Grogan's death was caused by an infection. Advertisement Widow of Joe Grogan, Lisa Flaherty, pictured leaving the Tullamore Coroner's Court. Photo: Colin Keegan/Collins Dublin He rejected the suggestion of Mr Tansey that a verdict of unlawful killing could be considered as the evidence was not 'anywhere near the level of proof' required to support such a finding. Referring to a claim by Mr Jones that the farmer had been 'left to die,' Mr Mahon said there was valid criticism about the way Mr Grogan's care was managed following his last session of chemotherapy. However, Mr Mahon, who retired as coroner following the case, noted that the deceased had repeatedly told people he did not want to go to hospital and a relative had stated that it was obvious he was dying. In a submission, Mr Tansey said there was disquiet in the area where Mr Grogan lived over the circumstances of his death which had been significantly added to by the evidence heard at the inquest. Advertisement He claimed that the coroner also appeared 'sufficiently troubled' to repossess the body after it had been embalmed to allow an examination to be carried out to try and establish the cause of death. Mr Tansey said the pathologist Charles D'Adhemar, was working in impossible circumstances due to the 'irreparable damage' caused by the embalming process. However, he noted that Dr D'Adhemar had been able to detect the presence of three drugs in the body of the deceased which if used in a combination of large quantities could cause respiratory depression. Mr Tansey accused Ms Flaherty of telling 'porkies' by putting out a false narrative that the farmer was at the end stage of life and requiring palliative care. He observed that Ms Flaherty had not tried to explain that she was in an 'on-off relationship' with Mr Grogan when she gave evidence that their relationship had been over 16 years but later having to admit that she had another partner up to 2020. Mr Tansey said another troubling issue was the secrecy surrounding the couple's marriage about which even Ms Flaherty's sister and best friend were unaware. He also observed she had not called any doctor to see Mr Grogan for the 10 days he had been at home before his death after being discharged from hospital after chemotherapy. The barrister claimed Ms Flaherty had also called an undertaker with 'indecent haste' and had tried to 'ensnare' a doctor in her scheme for getting the body released. There was a gasped reaction among the large crowd attending the inquest when Mr Tansey reminded the coroner that a verdict of unlawful killing was open to him. He pointed out that Mr Grogan was clearly ill in the days before his death and there was going to be 'a dreadful end' if there was no appropriate medical intervention. However, he said the only time the farmer was taken from his house during that period was to go to a registry office 'to hurriedly and secretly arrange a marriage". In his submission, Mr Jones said the most solid evidence at the inquest came from doctors who had never given a direction that Mr Grogan required palliative care as suggested by Ms Flaherty. 'Reign of secrecy' He noted an oncologist had stated the farmer's death was not inevitable and Mr Jones said it would be a travesty to suggest otherwise. The solicitor remarked that a 'reign of secrecy' had prevailed over Mr Grogan's final days, while adding that his death was not due to cancer, heart failure or any infection. However, he claimed the inquest, despite the coroner's best efforts, had not come any nearer to establishing the cause of death. Mr Jones also noted the 'cruelty' of members of the Grogan family being excluded and only being told of the farmer's death by a friend. He argued the only people who could 'get to the bottom of this' would be An Garda Síochána and a further investigation would 'satisfy public disquiet". The solicitor said Mr Grogan wanted to live and had 'everything to live for". However, counsel for Mr Flaherty, Stephen Byrne BL, claimed the inquest had been used to attack Ms Flaherty's good name and reputation. Mr Byrne said one submission had just stopped short of accusing her of causing Mr Grogan's death. He claimed the fact that gardaí had not taken any further steps to date 'must carry some weight". Sean Grogan, right and Padraig Grogan cousins of the late Joe Grogan speaking to the media pictured leaving theTullamore Coroner's Court. Photo: Colin Keegan/Collins Dublin Mr Byrne reminded the coroner that one of Mr Grogan's own relatives, Enta Conroy, had given evidence that he was fading and approaching the end of his life. He pointed out that no member of the Grogan family had contacted any doctor if they were so concerned about his health. The barrister said he struggled to find the relevance of the marriage to the inquest, while the coroner had directed that its validity was not open for discussion. He also sharply criticised the approach adopted by the Grogan family to the inquest and how they thought it fit and appropriate that Ms Flaherty should have been asked if her marriage had ever been consummated. The previous two days of evidence of the inquest had also been dominated by bad-tempered exchanges between the legal representatives after the validity of the marriage was questioned, despite a marriage certificate being produced at the hearing. There were further heated exchanges on Tuesday after Mr Tansey claimed previous evidence of Ms Flaherty which stated her relationship with the deceased started when she was 16 'puts it in the realm of being a paedophile". Ms Flaherty was heard to call the barrister a 'scumbag' in response. Offering his commiserations to all parties at the conclusion of the inquest, the coroner said it had been 'a very difficult case for everyone". Speaking afterwards, Seán Grogan said his family had just wanted to find that 'our cousin was treated properly in his dying days' after concerns were first raised when his funeral arrangements had been 'chopped and changed". Mr Tansey said the Grogans had been surprised and concerned to find out that no medical personnel had been contacted by Ms Flaherty in the 10 days before his death when it was clear he was suffering some infection from his last session of chemotherapy. The barrister said the focus 'from here on in will be the merit and circumstances of that marriage".
RTÉ News
16-07-2025
- Health
- RTÉ News
Coroner rejects calls to refer death of farmer to gardaí
A coroner has rejected calls to refer the circumstances of the death of a 75-year-old Offaly farmer on the day after he got married to gardaí for a detailed forensic investigation. The application was made at the conclusion of a three-day inquest into the death of Joe Grogan, who died at his home in Screggan, Tullamore, Co Offaly, on 15 April 2023. He died just 24 hours after he got married to his part-time carer, Lisa Flaherty, in a registry office, Mr Grogan's relatives were unaware of the wedding and also unaware the couple were even in a relationship. Mr Grogan was well known in Irish farming circles for hosting the National Ploughing Championships between 2016 and 2018 and the farm will also stage this year's event in September. The inquest at Offaly Coroner's Court in Tullamore, heard that Ms Flaherty - a special needs assistant and mother of three who was 26 years junior to her husband - stands to inherit the 220-acre farm which is valued at €5.5 million as his widow. It had previously heard that the cause of Mr Grogan's death could not be determined because his body was embalmed before a post-mortem examination could be carried out which restricted the tests that could be conducted by a pathologist. Mr Grogan had been diagnosed with Stage IV Non-Hodgkin lymphoma (a form of blood cancer) in January 2023 and had responded well to treatment, although Ms Flaherty gave evidence that he believed he was dying. Counsel for three cousins of the deceased - Alo, Margaret and Seán Grogan - Damien Tansey SC, called on the coroner, Raymond Mahon, not to return a verdict and to refer the matter to the DPP for a forensic examination of Mr Grogan's death by gardaí. Mr Tansey said it would be most unfair to the farmer's memory and to his family if the request was declined. Separately, Peter Jones, a solicitor for Teresa Mooney, an aunt of Mr Grogan, also asked the coroner to refer the death to gardaí and to return an open verdict. Mr Jones claimed the inquest had left "an awful lot of unanswered questions" and the circumstances of Mr Grogan's death could only be challenged by trained personnel used to investigating "suspicious deaths". However, Mr Mahon returned a narrative verdict based on extensive evidence and claimed Mr Grogan's death was probably due to an infection on the balance of probabilities. He noted that Mr Grogan had a Stage IV high grade cancer who was receiving chemotherapy treatment with a compromised immune system who had also suffered "significant weight loss". Mr Grogan's weight went from 79kg in June 2022 to 67.6kg at the time he was diagnosed with cancer and to 51kg at the time of his death. The coroner said evidence from witnesses of Mr Grogan's "slow, elongated decline" lent support to his view that Mr Grogan's death was caused by an infection. He rejected the suggestion of Mr Tansey that a verdict of unlawful killing could be considered as the evidence was not "anywhere near the level of proof" required to support such a finding. Referring to a claim by Mr Jones that Mr Grogan had been "left to die," Mr Mahon said there was valid criticism about the way Mr Grogan's care was managed following his last session of chemotherapy. However, Mr Mahon, who retired as coroner following the case, noted that Mr Grogan had repeatedly told people he did not want to go to hospital and a relative had stated that it was obvious he was dying. In a submission, Mr Tansey said there was disquiet in the area where Mr Grogan lived over the circumstances of his death, which had been significantly added to by the evidence heard at the inquest. He claimed that the coroner also appeared "sufficiently troubled" to repossess the body after it had been embalmed to allow an examination to be carried out to try and establish the cause of death. Mr Tansey said the pathologist Charles D'Adhemar, was working in impossible circumstances due to the "irreparable damage" caused by the embalming process. However, he noted that Dr D'Adhemar had been able to detect the presence of three drugs in the body which, if used in a combination of large quantities, could cause respiratory depression. Mr Tansey accused Ms Flaherty of telling "porkies" by putting out a false narrative that Mr Grogan was at the end stage of life and requiring palliative care. He observed that Ms Flaherty had not tried to explain that she was in an "on-off relationship" with Mr Grogan when she gave evidence that their relationship had been over 16 years, but later having to admit that she had another partner up to 2020. Mr Tansey said another troubling issue was the secrecy surrounding the couple's marriage about which even Ms Flaherty's sister and best friend were unaware. He also observed she had not called any doctor to see Mr Grogan for the ten days he had been at home before his death after being discharged from hospital after chemotherapy. The barrister claimed Ms Flaherty had also called an undertaker with "indecent haste" and had tried to "ensnare" a doctor in her scheme for getting Mr Grogan's body released. There was a gasped reaction among the large crowd attending the inquest when Mr Tansey reminded the coroner that a verdict of unlawful killing was open to him. He pointed out that Mr Grogan was clearly ill in the days before his death and there was going to be "a dreadful end" if there was no appropriate medical intervention. However, he said the only time Mr Grogan was taken from his house during that period was to go to a registry office "to hurriedly and secretly arrange a marriage". In his submission, Mr Jones said the most solid evidence at the inquest came from doctors who had never given a direction that Mr Grogan required palliative care as suggested by Ms Flaherty. He noted an oncologist had stated his death was not inevitable and Mr Jones said it would be a travesty to suggest otherwise. The solicitor remarked that a "reign of secrecy" had prevailed over Mr Grogan's final days, while adding that his death was not due to cancer, heart failure or any infection. However, he claimed the inquest, despite the coroner's best efforts, had not come any nearer to establishing the cause of death. Mr Jones also noted the "cruelty" of members of the Grogan family being excluded and only being told of his death by a friend. He argued the only people who could "get to the bottom of this" would be An Garda Síochána and a further investigation would "satisfy public disquiet". The solicitor said Mr Grogan wanted to live and had "everything to live for". However, counsel for Ms Flaherty, Stephen Byrne BL, claimed the inquest had been used to attack her good name and reputation. Mr Byrne said one submission had just stopped short of accusing her of causing Mr Grogan's death. He claimed the fact that gardaí had not taken any further steps to date "must carry some weight". Mr Byrne reminded the coroner that one of Mr Grogan's own relatives, Enta Conroy, had given evidence that he was fading and approaching the end of his life. He pointed out that no member of the Grogan family had contacted any doctor if they were so concerned about his health. The barrister said he struggled to find the relevance of the marriage to the inquest, while the coroner had directed that its validity was not open for discussion. He also sharply criticised the approach adopted by the Grogan family to the inquest and how they thought it fit and appropriate that Ms Flaherty should have been asked if her marriage had ever been consummated. The previous two days of evidence of the inquest had also been dominated by heated exchanges between the legal representatives after the validity of the marriage was questioned, despite a marriage certificate being produced at the hearing. There were further heated exchanges after Mr Tansey claimed previous evidence of Ms Flaherty which stated her relationship with the deceased started when she was 16 "puts it in the realm of being a paedophile". Offering his commiserations to all parties at the conclusion of the inquest, the coroner said it had been "a very difficult case for everyone". Speaking afterwards, Seán Grogan said his family had just wanted to find that "our cousin was treated properly in his dying days" after concerns were first raised when his funeral arrangements had been "chopped and changed". Mr Tansey said the Grogans had been surprised and concerned to find out that no medical personnel had been contacted by Ms Flaherty in the ten days before his death when it was clear he was suffering some infection from his last session of chemotherapy. The barrister said the focus "from here on in will be the merit and circumstances of that marriage".
Extra.ie
16-07-2025
- Health
- Extra.ie
'Unanswered questions' linger over millionaire farmer's death
A coroner has recorded a narrative verdict in the case of a millionaire farmer who died just a day after getting 'secretly' married to his carer. Raymond Mahon dismissed suggestions by barristers for Joseph Grogan's family that the gardaí should conduct a thorough, forensic investigation before he reached his decision. The court in Tullamore heard Mr Grogan, 75, was being treated for cancer but had been responding well to treatment. He died at his home at around 3 pm on April 15, 2023, the day after attending a registry office to marry Lisa Flaherty, 50. Within hours, his body was embalmed, making it virtually impossible to determine a definite cause of death, Mr Mahon noted. Raymond Mahon. Pic: Colin Keegan/Collins Mr Grogan was a well-known figure in the farming community and hosted the National Ploughing Championships between 2016 and 2018. His estate, which school SNA Ms Flaherty now stands to inherit, is valued at €5.5million. Mr Mahon said Mr Grogan was diagnosed in early January 2023 with stage 4, aggressive, high-grade non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. He said he had suffered infections after two of his four rounds of chemotherapy, and that Mr Grogan was said by his oncologist to be vulnerable due to the chemo and his significant weight loss. He said Mr Grogan's death was due to a 'probability of infection', his immune system having been compromised. Mr Mahon said there were 'valid concerns' about Mr Grogan's care, but said it must be borne in mind that Mr Grogan was very reluctant to see a doctor. Joseph Grogan. Pic: He said it had been a very difficult and distressing case, and commiserated with both the Grogan and Flaherty families. Mr Mahon had ruled on day one of the three-day inquest that he would not make any decision about the validity of the marriage. Earlier, Damien Tansey, barrister for three first cousins of Mr Grogan, Alo, Margaret and Seán, called for the case to be referred to the Director of Public Prosecutions for a forensic examination by the gardaí. He told the coroner that it was open to him to record a verdict of unlawful killing, which could arise from omission or commission. In his closing submission, Mr Tansey said it was clear that Mr Grogan was very ill between April 5, when he finished his fourth round of chemotherapy, and April 15, when he died. He said that without medical intervention during that period, the consequences could be 'dreadful'. Lisa Flaherty. Pic: Fran Veale 'Was he properly treated during that ten-day period?' he asked. '…The only intervention during that ten-day period was to hurriedly and secretly arrange a marriage by which she [Ms Flaherty] stood to gain an estate valued at €5.5million.' Mr Grogan's 'sudden and unexpected' death had caused disquiet in the local area and in the medical community, he said. He suggested that those concerns had not been assuaged during the three-day inquest. Mr Grogan's oncologist had testified that Mr Grogan's cancer was responding well to treatment, and the pathologist had confirmed that cancer had not been the cause of death, and neither was organ failure. Niamh Higgins, sister of Lisa Flaherty. Pic: Fran Veale Mr Tansey said the swift embalming procedure meant that the pathologist could not test for drugs in Mr Grogan's system. However, pathologist Charles d'Adhemar had warned that if the three medications Mr Grogan had been prescribed were not administered correctly, it could depress his respiratory and nervous systems. The 'star witness' in the case, Lisa Flaherty, had repeatedly spread a narrative that Mr Grogan had an inoperable, stage 4 cancer and was at the end-of-life stage, awaiting palliative care, Mr Tansey said. 'None of that evidence is true or accurate,' he said. He also noted that she had told the inquest she had been in a long-term relationship with her neighbour Mr Grogan, when she had other partners, and three children who were not Mr Grogan's. Her suggestion that their relationship began when she was 16, which 'puts Joseph Grogan into the realm of being a paedophile' had caused great anxiety to the Grogan family, he said. Tullamore District Court, Co Offaly. Pic: Cillian Sherlock He continued: 'The troubling issue in this case is the secrecy of the marriage… her own sister did not know about it until the following day. Her best friend did not know until the following day. And she put a notice on the door of the house saying 'No visitors'. What was that about?' He said that less than 24 hours after the 'secret marriage', there was the 'unlawful removal of the remains from the house'. Peter Jones, a solicitor representing Teresa Mooney, Mr Grogan's 90-year-old aunt, called for an open verdict and for the gardaí to investigate. He said the inquest had left 'an awful lot of unanswered questions'. He also pointed to the 'undue haste' with which he said Mr Grogan's remains were taken to be embalmed, and to the contradictory evidence given by Ms Flaherty about Mr Grogan being at the end of his life, and awaiting palliative care. The Grogan family had been excluded during the 'reign of secrecy' of Ms Flaherty, he said. They had to learn of Mr Grogan's death from a friend, which he said showed 'cruelty'. 'My client is concerned for justice for Joseph Grogan,' he said. 'Despite the best efforts of this inquest, we are no closer to knowing the way or circumstances of this death.' He said there was a need to 'satisfy public disquiet', adding that most people on the street would be concerned to hear that a man had died the day after getting married, 'and was embalmed by teatime'. Stephen Byrne, for Ms Flaherty, said Mr Tansey had all but accused his client 'of causing the death of the late Mr Grogan'. He said he had been concerned that the inquest would be used 'to attack the good name and reputation of Ms Flaherty', and that this had proved to be the case. He said an inquest could only be adjourned for further investigations to be carried out on the basis of valid, legitimate suspicions, and said that threshold had not been reached. Other friends and family of Mr Grogan could have gone over the head of his carer, Ms Flaherty, and called a doctor themselves if they were concerned – but they did not, he said. Instead, he said, the person who cared for him and 'stepped up to the plate' had been 'hauled over the coals'. 'It is easy for people who did not step up to the plate to instruct their lawyers to come in and criticise someone who did step up and take responsibility,' Mr Byrne said. Mr Grogan himself was reluctant to seek help or see a doctor, he said, and that was his own decision. 'He knew his own body, and he knew he was not going to beat this [cancer],' he said. Niamh Higgins, Ms Flaherty's sister and neighbour, told the court that she was a psychiatric nurse with an additional qualification in palliative care. She said her mother had called her early on the day of Mr Grogan's death, telling her that his condition was deteriorating, and that she had gone up to the house. Mr Grogan was in bed and appeared to be comfortable and not experiencing any pain or distress, she said. Ms Flaherty told her that she had called an ambulance at around 10.30am, as Mr Grogan's condition had rapidly deteriorated. She said she was told the paramedic had advised that palliative care in hospital would not be available until the Monday, and that Mr Grogan had said he wanted to stay at home. She said she advised her sister that the MIDOC doctor-on-call service should be called, and that Ms Flaherty agreed, but asked her to make the call, which she did at around midday. By this time, she said, Mr Grogan's pulse was irregular and weak, his breathing was shallow, and he was less responsive. At 3.48 pm, she said, she could no longer detect a pulse. Ms Higgins told the inquest that she learned of her sister's marriage after Mr Grogan's death. Mary Coyne, a friend of Ms Flaherty and Mr Grogan, said he had told her of his marriage on the morning of his death. She said that he had said, in a low voice, 'I have news, we got married.' Seán Grogan, a cousin of Joseph Grogan, from Naas, Co. Kildare, said that when he saw Joseph shortly before he died, his cousin had one eye closed, and one eye only half open. His head was leaning to one side, and he was limp, he said. He said that Mr Grogan had been a confirmed bachelor who had previously been in a 23- or 24-year relationship with a local woman but had never expressed an intention to get married. Pádraig Grogan, another cousin who ran a neighbouring farm and saw Joseph Grogan regularly, said he had been on holiday in the US when Mr Grogan died. He said his wife had sent text messages to Ms Flaherty to stay in touch, but there had been no response on August 14 or 15. They learned of Mr Grogan's death on he said. He had understood that his cousin had inoperable cancer and that there was no hope in his final months, he said. 'I would have loved to have known then that his results were so good from the oncologist, and to make sure that he knew it,' he told the inquest. 'Joe wanted to live.' Speaking following the verdict, Mr Tansey said that the focus of the Grogan family would now be on the validity of the marriage, which may involve a High Court challenge.
Irish Daily Mirror
15-07-2025
- Irish Daily Mirror
Coroner rejects Garda probe into farmer's death a day after 'secret' marriage
A coroner has rejected calls to refer the circumstances of the death of an elderly Offaly farmer on the day after he got married to gardaí for a detailed forensic investigation. The dramatic application was made at the conclusion of a three-day inquest into the death of Joe Grogan (75) who died at his home in Screggan, Tullamore, Co Offaly on April 15, 2023 just 24 hours after he got married to to his part-time carer, Lisa Flaherty, in a registry office unknown to any of his relatives who were unaware the couple were even in a relationship. Mr Grogan was a well-known figure in Irish farming circles for hosting the National Ploughing Championships between 2016 and 2018, while the farm will also stage this year's event in September. The inquest at Offaly Coroner's Court in Tullamore heard that Ms Flaherty – a special needs assistant and mother of three who was 26 years junior to her husband – stands to inherit the 220-acre farm which is valued at €5.5 million as his widow. It had previously heard that the cause of the farmer's death could not be determined because it was embalmed before a postmortem could be carried out which restricted the tests that could be conducted by a pathologist. The farmer had been diagnosed with Stage IV Non-Hodgkin lymphoma (a form of blood cancer) in January 2023 and had responded well to treatment, although Ms Flaherty gave evidence that he believed he was dying. 19/07/25 - Widow of Joe Grogan, Lisa Flaherty, pictured leaving the Tullamore Coroner's Court (Image: Colin Keegan, Collins Dublin) On Tuesday, counsel for three cousins of the deceased – Alo, Margaret and Seán Grogan – Damien Tansey SC, called on the coroner, Raymond Mahon, not to return a verdict and to refer the matter to the DPP for a forensic examination of Mr Grogan's death by gardaí. Mr Tansey said it would be most unfair to the farmer's memory and to his family if the request was declined. Separately, Peter Jones, a solicitor for an aunt of the deceased, Teresa Mooney, also asked the coroner to refer the death to gardaí and to return an open verdict. Mr Jones claimed the inquest had left 'an awful lot of unanswered questions' and the circumstances of Mr Grogan's death could only be challenged by trained personnel used to investigating 'suspicious deaths.' However, Mr Mahon returned a narrative verdict based on extensive evidence and claimed the farmer's death was probably due to an infection on the balance of probabilities. He noted the deceased was a person with a Stage IV high grade cancer who was receiving chemotherapy treatment with a compromised immune system who had also suffered 'significant weight loss.' Mr Grogan's weight went from 79kg in June 2022 to 67.6kg at the time he was diagnosed with cancer and to 51kg at the time of his death. The coroner said evidence from witnesses of Mr Grogan's 'slow, elongated decline' lent support to his view that Mr Grogan's death was caused by an infection. 19/07/25 - Sean Grogan, cousin of the late Joe Grogan speaks to the media with his counsel, Damien Tansey SC and family members pictured leaving the Tullamore Coroner's Court (Image: Colin Keegan, Collins Dublin) He rejected the suggestion of Mr Tansey that a verdict of unlawful killing could be considered as the evidence was not 'anywhere near the level of proof' required to support such a finding. Referring to a claim by Mr Jones that the farmer had been 'left to die,' Mr Mahon said there was valid criticism about the way Mr Grogan's care was managed following his last session of chemotherapy. However, Mr Mahon, who retired as coroner following the case, noted that the deceased had repeatedly told people he did not want to go to hospital and a relative had stated that it was obvious he was dying. In a submission, Mr Tansey said there was disquiet in the area where Mr Grogan lived over the circumstances of his death which had been significantly added to by the evidence heard at the inquest. He claimed that the coroner also appeared 'sufficiently troubled' to repossess the body after it had been embalmed to allow an examination to be carried out to try and establish the cause of death. Mr Tansey said the pathologist Charles D'Adhemar, was working in impossible circumstances due to the 'irreparable damage' caused by the embalming process. However, he noted that Dr D'Adhemar had been able to detect the presence of three drugs in the body of the deceased which if used in a combination of large quantities could cause respiratory depression. Mr Tansey accused Ms Flaherty of telling 'porkies' by putting out a false narrative that the farmer was at the end stage of life and requiring palliative care. He observed that Ms Flaherty had not tried to explain that she was in an 'on-off relationship' with Mr Grogan when she gave evidence that their relationship had been over 16 years but later having to admit that she had another partner up to 2020. Mr Tansey said another troubling issue was the secrecy surrounding the couple's marriage about which even Ms Flaherty's sister and best friend were unaware. 19/07/25 - Friends and Grogan family members hug pictured leaving the Tullamore Coroner's Court (Image: Colin Keegan, Collins Dublin) He also observed she had not called any doctor to see Mr Grogan for the ten days he had been at home before his death after being discharged from hospital after chemotherapy. The barrister claimed Ms Flaherty had also called an undertaker with 'indecent haste' and had tried to 'ensnare' a doctor in her scheme for getting the body released. There was a gasped reaction among the large crowd attending the inquest when Mr Tansey reminded the coroner that a verdict of unlawful killing was open to him. He pointed out that Mr Grogan was clearly ill in the days before his death and there was going to be 'a dreadful end' if there was no appropriate medical intervention. However, he said the only time the farmer was taken from his house during that period was to go to a registry office 'to hurriedly and secretly arrange a marriage.' In his submission, Mr Jones said the most solid evidence at the inquest came from doctors who had never given a direction that Mr Grogan required palliative care as suggested by Ms Flaherty. He noted an oncologist had stated the farmer's death was not inevitable and Mr Jones said it would be a travesty to suggest otherwise. The solicitor remarked that a 'reign of secrecy' had prevailed over Mr Grogan's final days, while adding that his death was not due to cancer, heart failure or any infection. However, he claimed the inquest, despite the coroner's best efforts, had not come any nearer to establishing the cause of death. Mr Jones also noted the 'cruelty' of members of the Grogan family being excluded and only being told of the farmer's death by a friend. He argued the only people who could 'get to the bottom of this' would be An Garda Síochána and a further investigation would 'satisfy public disquiet.' The solicitor said Mr Grogan wanted to live and had 'everything to live for.' However, counsel for Mr Flaherty, Stephen Byrne BL, claimed the inquest had been used to attack Ms Flaherty's good name and reputation. Mr Byrne said one submission had just stopped short of accusing her of causing Mr Grogan's death. He claimed the fact that gardaí had not taken any further steps to date 'must carry some weight.' Mr Byrne reminded the coroner that one of Mr Grogan's own relatives, Enta Conroy, had given evidence that he was fading and approaching the end of his life. He pointed out that no member of the Grogan family had contacted any doctor if they were so concerned about his health. The barrister said he struggled to find the relevance of the marriage to the inquest, while the coroner had directed that its validity was not open for discussion. He also sharply criticised the approach adopted by the Grogan family to the inquest and how they thought it fit and appropriate that Ms Flaherty should have been asked if her marriage had ever been consummated. The previous two days of evidence of the inquest had also been dominated by bad-tempered exchanges between the legal representatives after the validity of the marriage was questioned, despite a marriage certificate being produced at the hearing. There were further heated exchanges on Tuesday after Mr Tansey claimed previous evidence of Ms Flaherty which stated her relationship with the deceased started when she was 16 'puts it in the realm of being a paedophile.' Ms Flaherty was heard to call the barrister a 'scumbag' in response. Offering his commiserations to all parties at the conclusion of the inquest, the coroner said it had been 'a very difficult case for everyone.' Speaking afterwards, Seán Grogan said his family had just wanted to find that 'our cousin was treated properly in his dying days' after concerns were first raised when his funeral arrangements had been 'chopped and changed.' Mr Tansey said the Grogans had been surprised and concerned to find out that no medical personnel had been contacted by Ms Flaherty in the 10 days before his death when it was clear he was suffering some infection from his last session of chemotherapy. The barrister said the focus 'from here on in will be the merit and circumstances of that marriage.' Subscribe to our newsletter for the latest news from the Irish Mirror direct to your inbox: Sign up here.
