Thomas Byrne (Meath East, Fianna Fail)
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Question 600: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he proposes to have the case surrounding the death of a person (details supplied) investigated further. [2213/08]

Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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The body of the person mentioned by the Deputy was found on 29 August 2006 in Mallorca, lying in shallow water close to the shoreline. The local autopsy report stated that she had committed suicide by drowning. The report also indicated that there had been extensive injuries to her body, but suggested that these had occurred after her death. Her family strongly rejected any possibility of suicide and believed that she was the victim of foul play.

My Department at the time was in regular contact with her family and their solicitors, and provided all possible consular assistance. This included providing assistance in repatriating the remains, in obtaining copies of the autopsy report and post-mortem photographs, and in having the report translated.

In September 2007, the family informed the Department that a second autopsy, carried out by the State pathologist here, uncovered marks on the person's body that place the original verdict of suicide in doubt. Her family also indicated that they had retained the services of a lawyer in Spain to have her case reopened and that, once court dates, etc were available, they would be in further contact.

The Department and the Embassy in Madrid remain ready to help the family in every possible way.