Latest news with #Tullamore
The Sun
22-07-2025
- The Sun
Widow, 50, of millionaire, 75, who died a DAY after wedding ‘broken' by claims she ‘engineered' death to inherit fortune
THE widow of a millionaire who died a day after their wedding is "broken" by claims she "engineered" his death for money. Mum-of-three Lisa Flaherty, who is 50, married dying landowner Joseph Grogan, who was 75, in secret. 4 4 He knew he didn't have long to live after a long fight with blood cancer and had no children. So he married his partner and gave her the right to inherit his estate - but shockingly he died just 24 hours later. Lisa now stands to inherit his 220 acre farm in Screggan, Tullamore, Co Offaly, which is valued at €5.5 million (£4.77 million). The timing prompted a slew of claims about Lisa being a gold digger who married him for his money. More insidious claims suggested she had known the millionaire farmer was dying and saw an opportunity to get her hands on the estate. She moved in with him in January 2023 to become his carer when he was diagnosed with stage four non-Hodgkin lymphoma. He died three months later. But they previously dated in 1991 - when she was just 16 and he was 41. Lisa went on to marry another man and had three kids who are now in their 20s. But her friends told the Mail that the pair remained close. They said she is "broken" after lawyers for the Grogan family questioned her credibility. Joe Keys, a friend of Mr Grogan, said: "The world can think what it wants but how Lisa has been portrayed is not right. "They were both wonderful people who were very well respected in this community. Lisa didn't care for Joe because she wanted his money, that's total rubbish." A close friend of Ms Flaherty said: "It does sound a bit strange, but this is rural Ireland, strange things happen." The friends and locals claimed Mr Grogan and Lisa remained very involved in one another's lives. However his family insist he was a bachelor, and claimed they were excluded from being involved in his life as his health went downhill. They didn't know Lisa and Mr Grogan had got married and only found out he had passed away after being told by a friend. The coroner said Mr Grogan's death was likely due to a "probability of infection" with his immune system compromised. But he was embalmed within a matter of hours, a time frame Coroner Raymond Mahon said made it difficult to determine a definitive cause of death. A SECRET MARRIAGE During a three-day inquest, Peter Jones, the solicitor representing Mr Grogan's 90-year-old aunt said "an awful lot of unanswered questions" remain. He also pointed to the "undue haste" with which he said the farmer's remains were taken to be embalmed. Barrister Damien Tansey, representing Mr Grogan's cousins, pushed for the Gardai to conduct a forensic investigation before the coroner came to a decision. Coroner Mahon, however, dismissed the suggestion. According to Mr Tansey Mr Grogan's death, which he called "sudden and unexpected" had caused a stir in the community. He went on to claim that the concerns raised by residents of the local area and the medical community had not been addressed by the inquest. A pathologist had confirmed that cancer had not been the cause of death, and neither was organ failure. Pathologist Charles d'Adhemar had warned that if the three medications Mr Grogan had been prescribed were not administered correctly, it could depress his respiratory and nervous systems. Mr Tansey claimed that the speedy embalming procedure meant the pathologist could not test for drugs in the deceased's system. Lisa had repeatedly claimed that her husband had inoperable, stage four cancer and was at the end of life stage - something his family disputed. He added that the secrecy of the marriage was concerning. The coroner said he would not rule on the validity of the marriage. And Stephen Byrne, representing Lisa, said that Mr Tansey had all but accused her of causing Mr Grogan's death. He went on to say that he had been concerned the inquest into Mr Grogan's death would be used to attack her good name. Mr Byrne continued, saying that the person who stepped up and cared for Mr Grogan - Lisa - had been "dragged over the coals." Mr Byrne said: "He knew his own body, and he knew he was not going to beat this [cancer]." The inquest ultimately ruled that Mr Grogan died of natural causes linked to cancer and his treatment. He added that there were "valid concerns" about Mr Grogan's care but said it must be remembered that the deceased was very reluctant to see a doctor. 4
Irish Times
22-07-2025
- Irish Times
Joe Grogan inquest: Millionaire farmer died the day after he was married
An inquest doesn't typically hear questions about the consummation of a relationship or the validity of a marriage certificate, and it's not usual for there to be so many lawyers in a coroner's court. But when there's a farm, valued at €5.5 million at stake, and the circumstances around the death are somewhat confused, it's perhaps to be expected. The three-day inquest into the death of wealthy farmer Joe Grogan (75) at his home on April 15th, 2023 heard questions that a coroner's court is not there to answer. Its job is to establish cause of death. Grogan had been married the previous day, to his long-time friend and sometime carer Lisa Flaherty. A clear cause of death could not be established because he had been embalmed within hours. His 220-acre farm at Screggan, near Tullamore is well-known having hosted the National Ploughing Championships for two years and is set to do so again this year. As his widow, Flaherty stands to inherit his estate. READ MORE Members of Grogan's family questioned the validity of the marriage – they said they were unaware it had taken place – and there were heated scenes in the court. Ultimately the coroner Raymond Mahon ruled that the newly-wed farmer probably died of an infection associated with his stage-four cancer, his immune system being compromised because of chemotherapy and significant weight loss. He said the evidence did not support a finding of unlawful killing as had been suggested and he rejected calls by Grogan's extended family to refer the circumstances of the death to the Garda. Irish Times reporter Colm Keena was in court to hear the verdict and explains the background. Presented by Bernice Harrison. Produced by Suzanne Brennan.
Irish Times
19-07-2025
- Sport
- Irish Times
Meath see out reigning champions Kerry to reach All-Ireland final
All-Ireland SLFC semi-final: Meath 2-12 Kerry 1-9 Kerrie Cole and Sarah Wall struck goals either side of the break at O'Connor Park in Tullamore as Meath booked a return to the All-Ireland senior ladies football championship final for the first time since 2022 by dethroning reigning champions Kerry. Although the Kingdrom raced two points clear in the early moments with unanswered efforts from Siofra O'Shea and Anna Galvin, Meath subsequently edged in front with three scores on the bounce from Marion Farrelly, Emma Duggan and Ciara Smyth. While a fine point from play by O'Shea had Kerry back on level terms, Meath rocked their Munster rivals on 18 minutes when Cole cut in from the right and smashed an unstoppable shot into the net via the underside off the crossbar. After Duggan converted a close-range free, Niamh Ní Chonchúir chipped in with a much-needed brace for Kerry, who spurned a number of scoring opportunities in the opening period. Traded points between Farrelly and O'Shea ensured the Royals brought a 1-5 to 0-6 cushion into the interval, but the Kingdom turned the game on its head when Rathmore attacker Danielle O'Leary bagged a superb goal within two minutes of the resumption. READ MORE Meath didn't panic, however, and they squeezed back into the ascendancy with points from Duggan and Aoibhin Cleary. Although O'Shea and Caoimhe Evans split the uprights for Kerry in a tense third-quarter, their scores arrived either side of an expertly-taken Meath goal from marauding defender Sarah Wall after 40 minutes. Smyth and O'Shea traded points as the second half progressed, but Meath were on the brink of victory when Shauna Ennis and Cleary registered quick-fire scores to leave their side four ahead inside the closing 10 minutes. Duggan added a two-point salvo as the final whistle approached to make sure Kerry were kept at bay and the Royals – Brendan Martin Cup champions in 2021 and 2022 – can now look forward to a showpiece affair at Croke Park on August 3rd. MEATH: R Murray; A Sheridan, MK Lynch, K Newe; A Cleary (0-2), S Wall, K Kealy; O Sheehy, M Farrelly (0-2); M Thynne, N Gallogly, C Smyth (0-2); E Duggan (0-5, 4f), V Wall (1-0), K Cole (1-0). Subs: S Ennis (0-1) for Newe (32), K Bermingham for Sheehy (40), N McEntee for Cole (57). KERRY: ME Bolger; E Lynch, D Kearney, C Lynch; A O'Connell, E Costello, A Dillane; M O'Connell, A Galvin (0-1); N Carmody, N Ní Chonchúir (0-2), C Evans (0-1); J Lucey, S O'Shea (0-5, 4f), D O'Leary (1-0). Subs: R Dwyer for Lucey (37), R Rahilly for Kearney (39), K Enright for Galvin (50), F O'Donoghue for O'Connell (52), N Quinn for Dillane (53). Referee: M Farrelly (Cavan).
BreakingNews.ie
19-07-2025
- Sport
- BreakingNews.ie
Saturday sport: Meath dominate Kerry at half time in Ladies Football semi-final
Meath are 1-5 to six points up against reigning champions Kerry in the semi-finals of the All-Ireland Senior Ladies Football Championship. Kerrie Cole scored the goal for the Royals in the 18th minute in Tullamore. Advertisement There's a 7:30pm throw-in time for the second semi-final between Galway and Dublin. Meanwhile, Armagh and Laois will meet in next month's All-Ireland Premier Junior Camogie final. Aimee Collier's 2-5 helped Laois to a comfortable 4-15 to thre points win over Wicklow in the first semi-final at Breffni Park. Rachael Merry sent over 10-points and Sinead Quinn added 1-3 from play in Armagh's 2-17 to 8-points victory against Roscommon. Advertisement Golf Scottie Scheffler has opened up a two-shot lead on the third day of golf's Open Championship. An eagle on the 7th has helped the world number one move to 13-under-par at Portrush. Rory McIlroy's picked up four shots across 13 holes today, and he's now seven-under and inside the top-five. Shane Lowry's third-round was hampered by a stomach bug as the 2019 winner shot a round of 74 to fall back to three-over. Advertisement Rugby The Lions have kicked off their rugby Test series against Australia with a 27-19 victory. Dan Sheehan was among the try scorers for the tourists in Brisbane. Ireland and Munster forward Tadhg Beirne was named player of the match. Soccer Shelbourne are just getting their FAI second-round tie against Fairview underway. Advertisement Cobh Ramblers, Salthill Devon, and Cork City are into the draw for round-three. Timmy Molloy was on target in Salthill's 1-0 victory over St Michael's, and Cobh won 2-0 at Bangor Celtic. While Cork City put their relegation battle to one side to see off Leicester Celtic 3-0. Spain await the winners of Saturday night's quarter-final between France and Germany in the last-four of the Women's Euros. Cycling Thymen Arensman has claimed a breakaway win on stage 14 of cycling's Tour de France. The Dutch rider crossed the line ahead of defending champion Tadej Pogacar, who has slightly extended his lead in the general classification. Ireland's Ben Healy is ninth overall. Racing The Aidan O'Brien-trained Minnie Hauk has won the Irish Oaks at the Curragh. She eventually shook off the challenge of Wemightakedlongway to take victory in the Classic. It's an eighth win in the race for O'Brien. Athletics Rhasidat Adeleke has run a season's best of 22.52 seconds in finishing fourth in the 200-metres at the Diamond League meeting in London. Sarah Healy continued her fine summer form with a third-place finish in the mile. While Mark English was just outside his own national record in placing seventh in the 800-metres.
Irish Times
18-07-2025
- Irish Times
Tears and accusations at Tullamore inquest into the death of Joseph Grogan
Joseph (Joe) Grogan, who owned more than 200 acres of good land at Screggan, Co Offaly, wasn't that fond of farming. His cousin, Sean Grogan, spoke to reporters outside Tullamore Courthouse on Tuesday, when the inquest into Joe's death had just concluded . 'Basically, he was fond of machinery and all the vintage tractors that he had,' said Sean, who had given evidence to the inquest. 'Joe was a very… he never married. Sorry, he did marry, the day before he died,' he said. READ MORE The slip was telling. Joe Grogan's marriage to Lisa Flaherty, on April 14th, 2023, the day before Joe died, hung over the three-day inquest. The coroner, Raymond Mahon, refused requests from lawyers representing members of the Grogan family to refer Joe's 'suspicious death' to the Garda, instead of making a finding. Damien Tansey SC, for four members of the family, including Sean Grogan, said Ms Flaherty, who stands to inherit his estate, 'had motive'. Joe Grogan had no children. Sean Grogan lives in Naas, Co Kildare. Another cousin, Padraig Grogan, also a farmer in Screggan, Co Offaly, told Mr Tansey he visited Joe regularly over the years. Sean Grogan, cousin of the late Joe Grogan, outside Tullamore Coroner's Court. Photograph: Nick Bradshaw/The Irish Times Padraig was the only member of the once-large Grogan family who remained in the locality. He often discussed farming with Joe, an only surviving child who inherited his farm from his father. Joe's farm, of about 230 acres, had been valued at approximately €5.5 million, Padraig told Mr Tansey. That was after some of the land had been compulsorily acquired for the Tullamore Ring Road, with approximately €800,000 being paid to Joe in compensation. Decades previously, the inquest was told, several sites were compulsorily acquired from Joe's grandfather, and cottages were built by the council. One of these was Ms Flaherty's 'ancestral home', Mr Tansey said. A woman Joe had a relationship with for more than 20 years came from another of the cottages. Joe Grogan was diagnosed with Stage IV Non-Hodgkin lymphoma, a form of blood cancer, in January 2023, and began treatment at the Midland Regional Hospital in Tullamore. When he visited him in February 2023, Padraig said, his cousin was 'in terrible form', stressed, and complaining that he could not eat. Joe was losing weight, something often associated with being on chemotherapy. Having been more than 12 stone in June 2022, he was almost four stone lighter by April 2023. Twice during chemotherapy, he was treated in hospital for an infection. However, oncologist Dr Kanthi Perera told the inquest that Joe was responding well to and was due to be assessed for a further cycle of chemotherapy before his death. She was 'surprised' when she heard he had died. Several witnesses, including Dr Perera, testified that although the prognosis for Joe was good, he himself was very negative. 'I knew the treatment was working for Joe, but he didn't accept it,' Ms Flaherty said. Joe received his final dose of chemotherapy on April 5th, 2023. It was the last time he was seen by a doctor. Mary Coyne, a lifelong friend of Ms Flaherty's and a friend of Joe's, told the inquest she visited him 'every second day' in the first weeks of April. He was getting 'frailer by the day'. Mary Coyne, a lifelong friend of Lisa Flaherty's and a friend of Joe Grogan's, leaving court. Photograph: Nick Bradshaw/The Irish Times A healthcare worker in the oncology department in Tullamore, she visited him on the morning of April 15th when Joe, speaking in a weak voice, said: 'We have news. We got married yesterday.' Apart from Ms Flaherty, no witness at the inquest said they had known of the registry office marriage prior to Joe's death at the age of 75. Ms Flaherty told the inquest she was born in 1974, worked part time as a special needs assistant, and had three children. Joe was not their father. She told the inquest she had been in a relationship with Joe for more than 16 years, and they had known each other since she was a teenager. She would stay in a spare room in Joe's house, she said, but she had a house elsewhere, the address of which was used on the marriage certificate. She was questioned by Mr Tansey about her other relationships. When the barrister asked whether her relationship with the deceased had ever been consummated, the coroner said he would not allow the question. Ms Flaherty left the court and returned afterwards in tears, when Mr Tansey remarked that 'endless anxiety' had been caused to the Grogan family by the suggestion that Ms Flaherty's relationship with Joe dated back to when she was aged 16. Coroner Raymond Mahon leaving Tullamore Coroner's Court after the inquest into the death of Joseph Grogan. Photograph: Colin Keegan/Collins Dublin 'It puts Joe Grogan into the realm of a paedophile,' Mr Tansey said, prompting criticism from the coroner. It was not the only time Ms Flaherty started to cry, or held her head resting in one hand. Both families had relatives and supporters in court for the inquest. Mr Tansey indicated that the Grogan family was contemplating a legal challenge to the 'validity' of Ms Flaherty's marriage to Joe Grogan. Mr Mahon ruled that the issue was not one for the inquest. Stephen J Byrne, barrister for Ms Flaherty, produced a copy of the marriage certificate. An ambulance had been called on the morning of Joe's death. Paramedic Aidan Dignam told the inquest he explained to Joe that he should go to hospital, but Joe did not wish to. Niamh Higgins, Ms Flaherty's sister and a nurse, told the inquest she visited Joe that afternoon, having been contacted by her mother. Joe, she said, appeared comfortable but was 'actively dying'. There were others present, but no member of the Grogan family. Ms Higgins told Peter Jones, solicitor for Joe's aunt, Teresa Mooney, that she, Ms Higgins, was not asked by her sister about Joe's health in the period from April 5th to April 14th. Martin Keyes, a full-time truck driver and part-time undertaker, gave evidence of being called by Ms Flaherty and told Joe Grogan had died. Damien Tansey SC leaving Tullamore Coroner's Court after the inquest into the death of Joseph Grogan. Photograph: Colin Keegan/Collins Dublin He arrived at the house at about 5pm and while there suggested to Ms Flaherty that Joe be embalmed. She agreed, he said, and he contacted Shepherds Mortuary in Longford and was told they could embalm the body at about 8pm. After the body was embalmed, it was returned to Screggan. 'Joe did not want to be on a slab overnight in a church, mortuary or morgue,' Ms Flaherty said. The burial was to take place the following day, but the coroner contacted the Garda and asked for the body to be repossessed for a postmortem. Among the issues explored at the inquest was how Joe's body had been taken to be embalmed without the requisite release from a doctor. The pathologist who carried out the postmortem, Dr Charles d'Aldhemar, told the inquest he could identify no clear cause of death because of the embalming. In his submission at the end of the evidence, Mr Jones said Joe was 'basically left to die' and that, if he had been suffering from an infection, 'no-one called the doctor'. Both Mr Jones and Mr Tansey urged the coroner to call for Joe's death to be investigated by the Garda. Ms Flaherty's barrister, Mr Byrne, said he was concerned the inquest was being used to 'attack the good name of Lisa Flaherty'. He said gardaí, if they wanted to investigate Joe's death, would have applied for the inquest to be adjourned. The evidence was that Joe had full capacity when he married Lisa Flaherty, he said. The paramedic had given evidence as to Joe's capacity. 'Is he part of the conspiracy too?' Mr Tansey, in his submission, said Ms Flaherty 'stands to gain an estate with a value of €5.5 million on the basis that she is the widow of Joseph Grogan'. The coroner delivered a 'narrative verdict', which is an account of the circumstances surrounding a death rather than a direct ruling as to its cause. While Dr d'Aldhemar could not give a cause of death, the coroner said, it was probably due to an infection associated with his cancer, chemotherapy treatment, damage to the immune system, and significant weight loss. There had been 'valid criticism' of Joe's care, he said, but it had to be borne in mind that Joe did not want to go to hospital. The evidence did not come 'anywhere near' the threshold required for a finding of unlawful killing, the coroner said.
