Mystery spider bite ruled out in death
MEDICAL experts found no trace of a mysterious spider bite or venom in a middle-aged Irishman who died from a torn gullet complicated by liver disease linked to alcohol use.
The revelation came as John Kennedy's wife, Jean, insisted that her late husband had been bitten by a mysterious spider before his death.
But a Cork coroner's inquest into the death of Mr Kennedy last July found absolutely no link to a spider bite.
The inquest recorded a verdict of death by misadventure for Mr Kennedy from Midleton, Co Cork.
Jean Kennedy said John was bitten by a spider a few months before he died in hospital.
"He was bitten by a spider early last year in January 2013. There were two marks on his neck," she said.
"Two weeks later we found a spider, black with red (markings) on its back in my daughter's schoolbag."
Media reports had speculated that the spider could be a Red-Back, commonplace in Australia.
Coroner Dr Myra Cullinane ordered inquires as she was concerned over possible public health issues.
Mercy University Hospital (MUH) specialist Cristóir Ó Suilleabháin attended Mr Kennedy on July 18 after he was admitting vomiting blood.
Mr Kennedy had a history of liver disease associated with alcohol use.
He was found to have a large gullet tear and despite medical intervention the bleeding could not be stopped and he later died. UCC's Prof Mary Horgan said there are no venomous spiders in Ireland.
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