Open verdict recorded in death of woman (83) who went down alternative medicine route

Olivia Kelleher

An open verdict has been returned at the inquest of an 83-year-old mother of four from Schull in West Cork who died of a cerebral haemorrhage earlier this year.

Marilyn Hilliard of Rossbrin Cove, Schull, and formerly of Killarney in Kerry, collapsed on February 11th last at her home.

She was preparing dinner for her husband, Billy and a family friend.

Cork Coroner’s Court heard evidence from Assistant State Pathologist, Dr Margaret Bolster.

Dr Bolster said that a neurological expert believed that the severe haemorrhage was likely linked to high blood pressure or hypertension.

However, Mrs Hiliard, who was a grandmother and great grandmother, displayed none of the usual triggering factors for such haemorrhages other than a thickening of the left wall of her heart.

Dr Bolster said that Mrs Hilliard died from a cerebral haemorrhage. She indicated that there was no trauma or vascular malfunction and that an event such as a fall was not a factor in the passing of the elderly woman.

Coroner Philip Comyn heard that Mrs Hilliard attended a natural remedies practitioner, Paschal Carmody, for treatment for arthritis.

Mr Carmody said that he had no recollection of giving Mrs Carmody anything other than one injection in 2024.

Mr Comyn showed Mr Carmody payment receipts from visits by the pensioner to him over the period spanning from April to December 2024.

The receipt indicated that Mrs Hilliard had spent €1,720 on four consultations with Mr Carmody.

Mr Carmody again repeated that his memory was of one injection.

"I think there was (one) treatment...no, I did not (give further injections). I have no recollection of that or that fee.”

When asked if he kept patient records he said : “Sometimes….not always.”

The Killaloe, Co Clare based practitioner conceded that it would be "an advisable practice" to keep records of consultations.

"My practice is in natural or alternative medicine. We have our own rules to follow," he staed.

Mr Carmody said Mrs Hilliard travelled to Clare to see him in spring 2024 having experienced issues with arthritis.

He said on her second visit he administered an injection of hypotonic dextrose in an effort to promote regeneration of tendons, ligaments and soft tissue.

"It is of a solution to stimulate soft tissue such as ligaments etc to regenerate. It is a regenerative treatment....a proliferation treatment."

He indicated that the injection involved dextrose and a saline solution.

Nick Hilliard, the son of the deceased, said that his mother experienced severe pain having received multiple injections from Mr Carmody.

He stated that one on one occasion she was in too much pain to get in to car. At another time she was unable to dress herself.

Mr Hilliard said his mother also told them she had received a second type of injection during a later consultation with Mr Carmody.

He said that his mother had been told that this injection would cure her.

"After July 2024 it was apparent to us that she was being injected with something that had a systemic effect on her body.

"We would like to know what that was and to see if it was a contributing cause in her death.

Mr Carmody confirmed that his signature was on the receipts. However, he insisted that only one injection was given to Mrs Hilliard.

Justin Condon, solicitor for Mr Carmody, stated that a verdict of natural causes should be returned by the coroner.

However, Mr Comyn said that while the cause of death was clear "what may have given rise to that is a little less clear."

He said that it was likely that Mrs Hilliard had received further injections during her visits to see Mr Carmody. He stated that the lack of record keeping by Mr Carmody was “unusual.”

Mr Comyn returned an open verdict that Mrs Hilliard had died from a cerebral haemorrhage on February 11 2025..

Speaking after the inquest, Mrs Hilliard's adult children Robin, Nick, Melanie and Leonie urged members of the public to seek medical advice from trained and registered personnel.

Nick Hilliard said that they would have liked if Mr Carmody was “more forthcoming” in his evidence. Robin Hilliard urged members of the public to stick to “evidence based medicine.”