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Coroner's report could take 30
days
10.09.09
By Linda McGrory
A POST mortem has been carried out on the body of
Paul Houston from Greencastle who was killed at the
weekend in the Algarve, Portugal.
The death certificate has also been released,
however, the chief coroner in the region now has 30
days in which to file her official report to the
public prosecutor's office. It is believed the cause
of death will not be officially confirmed until
then.
The special investigative police unit, the Polícia
Judiciária, continue to investigate the
circumstances surrounding the death of Mr Houston, a
51-year old father of four and president of
Greencastle Golf Club. They have not, as yet,
upgraded the status of the investigation from
“homicide inquiry” to murder. The businessman's
badly beaten body was found in the fishing village
of Alvor at 5am on Sunday. Police are investigating
the possibility he was mugged by two men as he made
his way back to the hotel where he was staying with
his wife Celine, and another couple. |
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Algarve chief coroner,
Dr Conceição Roubaco, was unavailable for comment
yesterday but her office, in Portimao District
Hospital, confirmed that a post mortem examination
had been completed and the death certificate
released to the public prosecutor.
Dr Roubaco's office also confirmed that routine
samples from the autopsy are being sent to the
Portuguese capital, Lisbon, for analysis.
Cathy Morrison, a Portuguese- |
speaking Irish
journalist, who has worked in the Algarve for ten
years, last night said there was no indication, as
yet, when Mr Houston's remains would be repatriated.
Meanwhile, Portuguese press are reporting that
police are closing in on the killers. Investigators
have spoken to a number of eye-witnesses who claim
to have seen the early morning attack taking place.
Members of the Houston family have since travelled
to the region where they are receiving consular
assistance including the services of a local
translator.
To read previous story, click here
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