A MISSING woman was found dead on a UK beach after vanishing over 300 miles away, an inquest has heard.
Margaret Barber, 67, went missing from her home in Mount Merrion, Dublin, on the morning of August 8, 2024.
Cockermouth Coroner's Court heard Margaret was last seen by CCTV near Blackrock Station on the coast at around 5.40am.
She was then found by a member of the public on the beach at Workington on August 30, 2024.
Husband Donal Kavanagh told how Margaret had been diagnosed with depression in 2011.
His wife, who was manager of the Mount Merrion Community Centre, was also prescribed medication.
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He said she had been admitted to hospital on occasions between 2011 and 2017 for mental health issues.
But Mr Kavanagh explained how it was "completely unexpected" when just days before her death she said that "her mood had dropped and she felt very low".
At one point Mr Kavanagh called St Patrick's University Hospital for his wife after her consultant psychiatrist, Dr Conor Farren, requested that she receive inpatient treatment.
It was later revealed that she had not picked up her anti-depressant venlafaxine prescription after between February 28 and the end of July, unbeknownst to her GP.
Mr Kavanagh said she thought it might be contributing to her recent weight gain.
Ms Barber was a "very good parent" he told the court and seemed in good spirits on the night before she disappeared.
He woke up to the sound of a the front door shutting at 5.20am and assumed his wife has gone for a stroll after not being able to sleep.
Ms Kavanagh grew concerned and started searching for her after she didn't return at 8am.
Later that evening she was reported missing, which led to a frantic hunt for Ms Barber with the RNLI, coastguard mountain rescue, civil defence and members of the public searching.
She was spotted on CCTV walking towards the railway statin and tragically was found on Working ton beach.
Officers confirmed that their search has been stood down after her body was tragically discovered, confirmed by dental impressions.
The toxicology report showed "nothing of significance" and it was suspected probably that she'd died by drowning.
Gardai also thanked the public and media for their assistance.
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A spokesperson said: "Following the discovery of a body, the missing person appeal in respect of Margaret Barber, 66 years, who was reported missing since 8th August 2024, has been stood down.
"An Garda Siochana would like to thank the media and public for their assistance in this matter."
If you are affected by any of the issues raised in this article, please call the Samaritans for free on 116123.
