In a solemn gathering at the Morgue, Dr Louis Byrne, City Coroner, presided over an inquest yesterday delving into the tragic demise of Patrick Casey, a returned American whose life ended in a macabre scene at a residence on George Street this Tuesday.

The details presented at the inquest painted a distressing picture of Casey’s final moments. The investigation revealed that Casey, a 56-year-old carpenter, was discovered with his throat gruesomely slit, with wounds inflicted on both sides of his neck and the apple of his throat gashed by a razor. John Casey of Roche’s Street, Limerick, formally identified the deceased as his brother Patrick, a solitary figure who had recently returned from America after an absence of some eight months.

Testimonies provided a glimpse into Casey’s recent days, with Mrs. Margaret M recounting that Casey had lodged in her house on George Street for the past six months. She described an ordinary morning, where Casey had breakfast at 9:15 a.m. before leaving for what seemed like a routine attendance at the 10 o’clock Mass. However, his return at 11:10 a.m. marked the beginning of a tragedy. Mrs. M discovered him lying in a pool of blood in his room when she went to set the dinner table around 1:30 p.m.

A chilling revelation emerged from Mrs. M’s testimony – Casey had confided in her about his escalating nervousness in the days leading up to his demise. He expressed paranoia, claiming that people were following him whenever he ventured outside. Despite her reassurances, Casey’s unease persisted. The suddenness of his actions left Mrs. M stunned, as she attested to his typically reserved and tranquil demeanour.

Constable Agnew’s account of the scene further underscored the gravity of the situation. Upon arrival, Casey was found lying in a pool of his own blood, a blood-stained razor nearby. The discovery of a note, purportedly authored by Casey himself, added a poignant layer to the tragedy. Addressed to his sister, the note spoke of impending departure and a denial of espionage, hinting at the turmoil plaguing Casey’s mind in his final moments.

Dr Amy Nash, the house surgeon at Meath Hospital, confirmed Casey’s demise upon his arrival at the medical facility. The jury, after careful consideration of the evidence presented, concluded that Casey’s death was a result of self-inflicted wounds, carried out during a bout of temporary insanity.

The community of Limerick finds itself grappling with the sombre aftermath of yet another suicide, prompting introspection and calls for increased mental health support. As the city mourns the loss of Patrick Casey, questions linger about the underlying factors contributing to such tragedies and the need for collective efforts to address mental health challenges within the city of Limerick.

Dublin Daily Express – Thursday 24 June 1915