A millionaire farmer died just 24 hours after a secret wedding to his part-time carer, sparking a family dispute over his £4.7 million fortune. Joe Grogan, 75, married 50-year-old Lisa Flaherty in a registry office ceremony on April 14, 2023, without the knowledge of his relatives.
Mr Grogan passed away at his home in Tullamore, Ireland, the following day. An inquest at Offaly Coroner's Court heard that Ms Flaherty, a special needs assistant and mother of three, now stands to inherit the 220-acre farm as his widow.
Barristers for the Grogan family argued there were 'unanswered questions' surrounding the death and called for a detailed forensic investigation. However, Coroner Raymond Mahon rejected the request, stating that the death was 'probably due to an infection on the balance of probabilities'.
The cause of death could not be determined because Mr Grogan's body was embalmed before a postmortem could be carried out. He had been diagnosed with Stage IV Non-Hodgkin lymphoma in January 2023 but had responded well to treatment.
Ms Flaherty's lawyer told the court that she had 'stepped up to the plate' when the family did not, and that Mr Grogan had made his own decision not to seek medical help. The coroner returned a narrative verdict, expressing sympathies to all parties involved.
