Gardaí have confirmed that they are investigating the circumstances surrounding the sudden death of public health nurse Catherine Upton on Sunday 27 April.

Mrs Upton's body was found on Furbo beach just before 9.30am that day. Although Gardaí believe that she took her own life, the Galway Independent understands that the circumstances surrounding her decision to do so are being investigated.

Her husband John said he could not comment on her death while the Garda investigation was ongoing. It is believed that Mrs Upton, a public health nurse in her forties, left a two-page letter outlining the reasons for her decision in her car, which was parked nearby.

Mrs Upton worked as a public health nurse in the Oughterard area, and is understood to have named pressure at work as the reason for her decision.

Friends of Mrs Upton's have said it was "common knowledge" that she was experiencing difficulties at work. They said there had been no signs of any other problems. She was believed to be planning a trip away with her husband and three children at the time of her death.

Mrs Upton, who was originally from the Mountbellew/Moylough area, was well known in the area and in her adopted home of Furbo.

A colleague at the Oughterard Health Centre refused to comment on the inquiry.

A spokesperson for the HSE declined to comment, saying that the matter was under the jurisdiction of the Coroner for West Galway and it would not be appropriate to comment.

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