AGE ACTION HAS urged communities across Ireland to be vigilant about the needs of the older people living in their areas.

Following the tragic revelations that the body of a 62-year-old man lay undiscovered in Wexford for almost three months, the support group said particular attention needs to be paid to elderly people living alone.

“This sad incident must act as a wake up call for every community,” Age Action spokesman Eamon Timmins said. “With more than a quarter of older people in Ireland living alone, and loneliness being one of the greatest problems facing many older people, communities have to be vigilant, they have to make special efforts to involve older people in community activities and to remain in regular contact with them.”

The body of the 62-year-old man, who has been named locally as Alan Moore, was found in a house on Lower John Street in Wexford Town on Sunday. Gardaí were first directed to the scene by a passerby who became suspicious when they saw a Christmas tree in the house with the lights still on.

It is believed that Moore passed away at some point over the Christmas period. Gardaí are not treating the death as suspicious.

The older people’s charity also noted that the case challenged the perception that isolation was only an issue for people living in remote areas.

Loneliness and isolation is also a problem for some older people living in the centre of towns and cities, with people streaming past their front doors each day.

Another charity, ALONE, has also called for people to be more aware of their elderly neighbours. Anyone can contact the charity directly on 01 679 1032.

Both ALONE and Age Action extended their sympathies to all concerned in the Wexford tragedy.

Yesterday: Body discovered in Wexford after man passed away at Christmas>