Bernadette Connolly’s body identified using her daughter’s DNA after it was found in Blackpool, inquest hears

Bernadette Connolly’s body was identified after her daughter Jade provided a DNA sample.

The body of the missing Swordswoman was discovered on a Blackpool beach in February after going missing in early January.

Police were called to Blackpool promenade at around 3pm on February 4 this year after the body of a woman was found near the seawall, Lancs Live reports.

Read more: Bernadette Connolly: Daughter Jade greets ‘beautiful’ mum in moving funeral speech

Detectives suspected it could be the body of Bernadette Mary Connolly, a 49-year-old mother, who was reported missing and last seen on Donabate Beach in Dublin on January 7.

An inquest which opened at Blackpool Town Hall today heard Bernadette’s body was officially identified on March 3 after her daughter Jade provided a DNA sample.

“Efforts were underway in terms of identifying the person who was found, but it was always believed to be Miss Connolly,” Chief Coroner Alan Wilson said.

The inquest, which Jade attended via video link from Dublin, heard that a post-mortem examination had failed to find a medical cause of death.

“On January 7, your mother went missing near Donabate Beach in Dublin,” Mr Wilson told Jade.

“In due time, efforts were made to establish the identity of the person and that was by means of DNA analysis assisted, I believe, by yourself. The positive identification was confirmed on March 3.

“We were then able to release your mother to the family for the funeral.”

A full inquest is due to take place in Blackpool on July 12.

Bernadette’s funeral took place at St Cronan’s Church, Swords yesterday.

A guard of honor was formed outside the church by her colleagues at Dublin Airport, where she worked for 17 years.

Jade told mourners that her mother “brought so much love, light and laughter” into people’s lives and remembered the night she first disappeared.

She said: “Mom, I will never forget the day, the day that changed all of our lives forever. You were told you missed, last seen on a beach, the feeling of helplessness that we we all felt.

“Police, helicopters, boats, drones, sniffer dogs, men on horseback trying to find you.”

Jade said her mother’s voice came to her and said “don’t give up”.

“That night I lay awake looking out your bedroom window, hoping to see your face looking out towards the road, hoping it was just a dream,” she continued.

“I woke up, this wave washed over me, your voice in my ear saying ‘get up, don’t give up’.

“A sense of hope, a light in the dark. That’s when I had to fight for you and I know you know that’s exactly what I did.

“Shouting your name, I would have walked for you to the end of the earth.

“I can’t say I did it alone. Beautiful people, they opened their hearts to us, walking alongside our family and friends, all with the common goal of bringing you home.

“Grandma and Grandpa praying so hard, a nation coming together to help our family, so much love.

“It was that love that lit a path that brought you back to us and we are so lucky to have you back home.”

Sign up for the Dublin Live newsletter to get all the latest Dublin news straight to your inbox.