Family Urges Caution After Grandmother’s Inquest Reveals Gaps

The family of Marlyn Hilliard, an 83-year-old woman who passed away from a cerebral haemorrhage, is advocating for careful consultation with qualified medical professionals following an inquest that revealed significant uncertainties regarding her treatment. The hearing, led by Cork Coroner Philip Comyn, uncovered that natural remedies practitioner Paschal Carmody could not recall administering multiple injections to Mrs. Hilliard for arthritis pain, which raises questions about her care.

During the inquest, held in Cork, Mr. Carmody stated he had “no recollection” of providing more than one injection to Mrs. Hilliard during her visits to his practice in Killaloe, Co Clare in early 2024. He admitted to lacking any records of her treatments, which included multiple visits from April to December 2024, totaling approximately €1,720 in fees. The absence of detailed records has raised concerns about the nature and effectiveness of the treatments administered.

Assistant State Pathologist Dr. Margot Bolster conducted a post-mortem examination on February 12, 2024, and determined that Mrs. Hilliard’s death was due to a severe cerebral haemorrhage. She noted that while one neurological expert suggested hypertension might be a contributing factor, Mrs. Hilliard did not exhibit the usual symptoms associated with such conditions. Furthermore, Dr. Bolster indicated that she had not been provided with any information regarding the injections administered by Mr. Carmody, stating, “We don’t know precisely what was in those injections.”

The inquest revealed that Mrs. Hilliard had been in generally good health prior to her passing, apart from her joint pain caused by arthritis. However, her son, Nick Hilliard, described the severe pain his mother experienced following the treatments, indicating that she struggled to perform daily tasks due to the discomfort. He expressed concern that the injections may have had a systemic effect on her health, stating, “We would like to know what that was and to see if it was a contributing cause in her death.”

In response to questions about the treatments, Mr. Carmody maintained that only one injection was administered, which he described as a hypotonic dextrose solution intended to promote regeneration of soft tissue. He acknowledged that while pain can accompany such procedures, he could not explain the discrepancies in the documentation of Mrs. Hilliard’s visits.

Coroner Comyn expressed skepticism about Mr. Carmody’s claims, highlighting the receipts indicating multiple consultations and treatments. He stated, “I am not satisfied given the receipts… it suggests she did receive further injections or treatments.” Ultimately, he returned an open verdict regarding the cause of Mrs. Hilliard’s death, noting the lack of clarity surrounding her treatment.

Following the inquest, the Hilliard family reiterated their concerns about the necessity of seeking advice from qualified medical personnel. They emphasized the importance of consulting trained and registered professionals before undergoing any treatments, advocating for adherence to evidence-based medicine. Nick Hilliard remarked, “It is unsatisfactory to the family. We would wish very much if he (Mr. Carmody) was more forthcoming.”

Mrs. Hilliard, originally from Killarney, Co Kerry, is survived by her four children—Robin, Melanie, Nick, and Leonie—as well as eight grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. Her sudden passing has left her family seeking answers and urging others to prioritize safety in medical treatment.