Mystery Remains Over The 34 Fractures After Woman’s Death

The family of a pensioner who sustained more than 30 fractures after her death say they are “entirely dissatisfied” with the explanation from the coroner.

Mary McGinley (78) from Orchard Street in Strabane, died from pneumonia at Altnagelvin Hospital on January 3.

Her body was found to have 34 fractures before a post-mortem examination was carried out.

It is understood that Mrs McGinley died on Wednesday January 3 at 6.40pm and her body went to Belfast for post-mortem two days later.

Her family learned of the fractures six weeks after her burial when they went to collect the results of the post-mortem.

Her five daughters and three sons immediately demanded an explanation and an investigation began at Altnagelvin Hospital.

The Coroner’s Office held its own inquiry.

In a letter to family solicitor John Fahy, the Senior Coroner for Northern Ireland, John Leckey, said: “Unfortunately it has not been possible to identify at what stage or in what circumstances the fractures were sustained. “

It is understood that around 10 people involved in caring for Mrs McGinley were interviewed.

“The family are really down about this,” said son Martin McGinley. “The letter of explanation doesn’t amount to 100 words and it says very little. They can’t pinpoint when the bones were broken so somebody somewhere along the line needs to come forward.”

Mr McGinley and his family are to meet Mr Leckey soon.

“At the end of the day if somebody just admitted there was some sort of accident we would live with it. But as it stands this letter has left us with no answers and more questions.”