GardaI in west Cork said last night that the preliminary results of a post-mortem examination at the weekend into the death of a young woman showed no foul play had been involved. According to senior Garda sources, no marks were found on the body of Ms Norma Murphy (18), of Derrygra Crescent, Ballineen, west Cork, who worked occasionally as a helper on a chip van in the area.
It is understood that the she was not on duty at the weekend, but offered to travel with friends in the van. Apparently she spent some time sitting in the van before friends noticed at around 3 a.m. that she had become ill. The van was parked on the main street at Skibbereen in west Cork.
Local gardai believe she may have been overcome by fumes, but sources said this was not conclusive and further tests would be needed to be sure. It is thought Ms Murphy left the van at about 3 a.m. yesterday morning. A short time later a doctor was called, and she was taken to Bantry Hospital where she was pronounced dead at 5 a.m. yesterday. She is survived by her parents, Patrick, a tradesman in west Cork, her mother Geraldine, and sisters Helen (22) Norma (18) and Olivia (16).
Mr Patrick Twomey, a shopkeeper in Ballineen, said he knew the family as quiet people. He added that customers were shocked at the death of a young member of a popular family. "The people here are stunned. It's such a shock."