Sadness as woman's remains found in Waterford home at foothills of the Comeragh Mountains

There was sadness felt in a rural area of County Waterford recently following the passing of a woman whose remains were found in her home on January 22.

The body of the woman, named locally as Zilia Peterkin, was discovered at her home at Furraleigh, Mahon Bridge, where she resided on her own.

It's believed she was originally from the UK but had lived in the Mahon Bridge area for around eight years.

However, she was intensely private and kept very much to herself save for the occasional visit to the shop.

The Gardaí had initially made an appeal for information from the public to identify any relations she might have as she had little interaction in the community and was someone who liked to keep to herself.

The Garda appeal was for information as to next of kin of Ms Peterkin, who was an elderly woman. Her home is located at the foothills of the Comeragh Mountains. It is understood

While the discovery of her remains was made on January 22, it's not clear as to when she passed away.

Such was the private nature with which Ms Peterkin lived her life that even local elected representatives knew little about her.

The sadness felt throughout the close-knit community of Mahon Bridge was replicated in the Glenbeigh area of County Kerry where the remains of a couple were discovered in their home on the Ring of Kerry, last week.

The remains of the couple, named locally as David and Hazel Byrne, were found in the early hours of Tuesday, February 4, by members of Kerry Fire Service.

They were called to assist Gardaí following concerns from local people.

The State Pathologist, Dr Yvonne McCartney, carried out a post-mortem examination on the couple in University Hospital Kerry. It's understood the couple died from the effects of carbon monoxide.

While it's understood that a relative of Ms Peterkin has been located within the Irish jurisdiction no funeral details were available at the time of publication.