THE body of an elderly woman has been discovered on the grounds of a church in Co. Louth.
The woman's remains were found at around 7.20am this morning at St Oliver Plunkett's Church in Blackrock.
The deceased is believed to have been aged in her 80s.
Emergency services were alerted but the pensioner was pronounced dead at the scene.
Gardaí are investigating but it is understood the death is not being treated as suspicious.
The woman's remains have been taken to Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital in Drogheda, where a post-mortem is due to take place tomorrow.
Gardaí remain at the church this afternoon to conduct an examination of the scene, according to local reports.
St Oliver Plunkett's is part of the parish of Haggardstown & Blackrock and is across the road from the waters of the Irish Sea.
