Gardaí unable to trace next of kin of Welsh man

Gardaí unable to trace next of kin of Welsh man


Anton McNulty

THE inquest into the death of a Welsh national who lived in Westport for nearly 20 years was told that Gardaí were to date still unable to contact his next of kin.
John Surfield (70) of 40 Michael Davitt Park, Golf Course Road, Westport was found dead in his home by his neighbour, SeΡn McNally, on November 20 last. The inquest heard he died from a heart attack but gardaí were unable to contact any of his next of kin which resulted in a delay of five weeks before his body could be released for burial.
Garda Martin Kelly explained that Mr McNally had told them that he may have a daughter or two but was not certain. When Garda Kelly contacted the British Embassy he was told that Mr Surfield had indicated that Mr McNally was his next of kin and he was also listed as his next of kin in Mayo General Hospital.
He said enquiries were ongoing but no blood relative has yet been contacted and Mr Surfield’s body was eventually released for burial on December 28.
Mr McNally told the inquest that Mr Surfield was a very private man but was in Westport for the last 20 years and considered it home. He added that he had recently had a hip replacement and he would visit him three times a day.
Mr John O’Dwyer, Coroner for South Mayo, said he was satisfied the gardaí had made serious efforts to trace Mr Surfield’s relatives. He added that it was encouraging that in this day and age the Mr McNally and other neighbours still made efforts to look in on their neighbours.