In a heart-wrenching case that has gripped County Clare, a recent inquest unveiled the tragic deaths of Claire Collins, a 50-year-old mother of two, and her husband, Joe Collins, aged 54. The couple was found deceased in their home in Crossard, Kilnaboy, on November 9, 2023. The inquest provided detailed insights into the circumstances surrounding their untimely deaths.

Discovery of the Tragedy

On the afternoon of November 9, Brian Collins, Joe’s brother, made the grim discovery. He found Joe’s body suspended from a basketball post at the rear of the house. Inside, he discovered Claire’s lifeless body in an upstairs bedroom. A note on the stairs read “upstairs and out the back,” directing him to both scenes. Overwhelmed by the situation, Brian alerted his brother Pat, who joined him at the scene. Pat recited the ‘Act of Contrition’ over Joe’s body after it had been taken down. ​

Autopsy Findings

Assistant State Pathologist, Dr. Margaret Bolster, conducted post-mortem examinations on both bodies. She determined that Claire’s death resulted from asphyxia due to smothering, consistent with pressure applied by a pillow. Notably, Claire had bruising on her right wrist and the back of her right hand, indicative of defensive injuries. Dr. Bolster remarked, “The findings are consistent with pressure by a pillow over a face put in place by a third party.” She further noted that unconsciousness would have occurred rapidly, minimizing suffering. Joe’s death was attributed to asphyxia caused by a ligature around his neck. ​

Timeline Leading Up to the Incident

On the evening of November 8, Claire had two phone conversations with her colleague, Caitriona Murphy, from the Burren Centre in Kilfenora. The first call at 6:52 p.m. appeared normal, but during the second call at 8:40 p.m., Caitriona detected a discernible change in Claire’s tone and demeanor. Concerned, she inquired about Claire’s well-being, to which Claire responded affirmatively. ​

Emergency Response Delays

At 3:09 a.m. on November 9, a male caller contacted the National Ambulance Service (NAS), reporting a “tragedy” at the Collins residence. The caller was vague and refused to provide specific details, instructing the dispatcher to “just come.” Despite efforts to gather more information, the caller became frustrated and ended the call. Subsequent attempts by the NAS to reach the provided contact were unsuccessful. This resulted in a significant delay, with emergency services arriving nearly 12 hours later, only after Brian Collins discovered the bodies. The coroner noted that the NAS has since recommended improvements in call-handling procedures to prevent such delays in the future. ​

Inquest Verdicts

The inquest, held at the County Clare Coroner’s Court in Kilrush, concluded with a jury returning an open verdict for Claire’s death, indicating that the evidence did not fully disclose the means by which she died. For Joe’s death, the jury returned a verdict of suicide. Coroner Isobel O’Dea explained that an open verdict signifies that the evidence doesn’t meet the required standard of proof for another verdict. ​

Community Impact and Reflections

The tragic deaths of Claire and Joe Collins have deeply affected the Kilnaboy community. Friends, family, and neighbors are left grappling with the profound loss and the circumstances surrounding it. This incident underscores the critical importance of mental health awareness and the need for accessible support systems for individuals and families facing challenges.​

Moving Forward

In the wake of this tragedy, local authorities and organizations are emphasizing the availability of mental health resources. Community members are encouraged to reach out for support and to look out for one another. The incident serves as a poignant reminder of the complexities of human relationships and the necessity of open communication and intervention when signs of distress are observed.​

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