Cause of Death of Prominent Offaly Farmer Joe Grogan Inconclusive Due to Embalming, Inquest Hears

Offaly, Ireland — July 5 — The cause of death of respected Offaly farmer Joe Grogan, who passed away just one day after his wedding in April 2023, could not be established due to his body being embalmed prior to a post-mortem examination, a pathologist told an inquest on Friday.

Grogan (75), a prominent figure in Ireland’s agricultural community and host of the National Ploughing Championships on his Screggan lands from 2016 to 2018, died at his home in Tullamore on April 15, 2023. His remains were transported to Longford for embalming before a post-mortem could be performed.

Dr. Charles D’Adhemar, the pathologist who conducted the examination, informed Offaly Coroner’s Court that the embalming process had significantly limited the ability to assess tissue and organ condition, making it impossible to determine a definitive cause of death. He noted that such circumstances are exceptionally rare, with only one similar case encountered in his 17-year career.

While Mr. Grogan had been undergoing treatment for Stage IV Non-Hodgkin lymphoma, Dr. D’Adhemar confirmed there was no new evidence to suggest the cancer had spread further.

Tensions Surround the Inquest

Friday’s inquest, similar to a previous session held in May, was marked by heated exchanges between legal representatives of various parties. At the centre of contention were questions raised about the nature and timing of Mr. Grogan’s marriage to special needs assistant Helena Flaherty, who provided a marriage certificate to the coroner through her counsel, Stephen Byrne BL.

Ms. Flaherty testified that she and Mr. Grogan had been in a relationship for over 16 years and that he had expressed a strong desire to die at home rather than in a hospital or church mortuary. She described their wedding, held at a registry office, as fulfilling his final wish.

“Joe had the nicest death we could wish for him,” she stated, recalling that he had discussed his funeral preferences the night before he passed.

She explained that Mr. Grogan had become increasingly frail, estimating a weight loss of approximately six stone in the months leading to his death. Despite his response to chemotherapy, she said he remained convinced that he was dying.

Disputed Narrative

Under cross-examination by senior counsel Damien Tansey, representing three of Mr. Grogan’s first cousins—Alo, Margaret, and Seán Grogan—Ms. Flaherty faced pointed questions about her previous relationship and her presence in Mr. Grogan’s home.

She firmly denied allegations of isolating him from family, stating that "no visitors" signs were posted to minimise infection risk. She also defended her decision to have his body embalmed in Longford, expressing gratitude that he could be laid out at home later that evening.

The inquest heard testimony from Mr. Grogan’s second cousin, Enta Conroy, who described herself as a daily visitor to his home during his final days. She expressed surprise at not having been informed of the marriage and noted the absence of any wedding ring or last rites.

Ms. Conroy said Mr. Grogan appeared emotionally withdrawn and physically deteriorated in the days leading up to his death. She recounted a conversation in which Ms. Flaherty said she was moving into Mr. Grogan’s home — a statement which she said visibly shocked him.

Despite her concerns, Ms. Conroy acknowledged that Ms. Flaherty had been a consistent presence and "was good for him" during his illness.

Medical Background

Dr. Kanthi Perera, a consultant haematologist at the Midland Regional Hospital in Tullamore, confirmed Mr. Grogan had been diagnosed with advanced Non-Hodgkin lymphoma in January 2023. While he initially responded positively to chemotherapy, Dr. Perera said Mr. Grogan had difficulty accepting the diagnosis and was emotionally distressed throughout his treatment.

Coroner’s Observations

Offaly Coroner Raymond Mahon noted the limitations placed on the investigation due to the embalming process. No verdict on the cause of death was issued. The inquest proceedings highlighted broader issues of family estrangement, end-of-life care preferences, and unresolved tensions surrounding the final days of a respected member of the agricultural community.