THE gas boiler at the Cork hotel in which a young woman died of carbon monoxide poisoning last week had been serviced just days before the tragedy, the Sunday Tribune has learned.

Investigating gardaí were this weekend seeking to establish whether the gas leak was related to the service. The incident left a number of other people at the Trident Hotel, Kinsale in need of medical attention.

According to sources, the boiler unit was serviced on 5 January, four days before the body of Miriam Reidy (35) was found in her hotel room. They indicated that the entire unit may have to be removed from the hotel to be thoroughly tested, although this was unconfirmed.

The engineer who conducted the service was last week interviewed by gardaí. The Health and Safety Authority is also carrying out an investigation.

Miriam Reidy, who was attending her cousin's hen party, is due to be buried today in her native Limerick. It is hoped that her sister Patricia, who was also badly affected by the suspected CO leak, will have made a sufficient recovery to attend at least part of the service.

Meanwhile, gardaí were continuing to take statements from numerous people at the hotel, as well as from staff at Southdoc, the out-of-hours medical service where those who had complained of feeling unwell had been treated. The agency could not be reached for comment.

Seven other guests at the hotel had sought medical attention after complaining of feeling unwell.

Doctors were called three times on Saturday to attend to the complainants – two doctors from the Southdoc agency visited the hotel.

A statement from hotel management said that, due to the ongoing inquiries, it was unable to comment on the circumstances surrounding the tragedy.

However, it did stress that in cases where medical assistance is required, senior staff contact doctors and ensure they are escorted to the patient's room.

Management said staff were "devastated by what has happened and our sincere thoughts are with the families of those concerned".

Miriam Reidy's remains are due to be removed to the Church of the Visitation, Ballyhahill, for requiem mass at 1pm. She will then be buried at Kilfergus Cemetery in Glin.

In a statement released on behalf of her family and partner Pio Boyle, she was described as a "wonderful daughter, a thoughtful and kind sister and friend, the love of Pio's life, a cherished sister-in-law, a very special auntie and godmother to Donnchadh and Thomas.

"We thank God that Patricia 'Trish' was spared and would like to extend our deepest and most heartfelt thanks for all the prayers and support we have received during this very difficult time."