Irish mother-of-four dies after cosmetic surgery trip to Turkey

A YOUNG mother-of-four from Limerick died from a blood clot a week after undergoing liposuction and buttock augmentation surgery in Turkey.

An inquest into the death of Lydia O’Donoghue (née Mulqueen), 38, of Lower Whitethorn Drive, Caherdavin, has heard that the fatal blood clot was linked to her recent surgery, subsequent air travel, and drug use.

An autopsy report showed that the level of cocaine in the young woman’s system “was significant”.

On the day of her surgery on April 16 last, Ms O’Donoghue, formerly of Fairview Crescent, Garryowen, had posted a picture of herself on TikTok with the caption: “Surgery day new booty pending.”

A buttock lift or buttock augmentation surgery - often referred to as a Brazilian Butt Lift (BBL) when a patient's own fat is used during the procedure as opposed to butt implants, which sees silicone devices placed into the buttock - is an increasingly popular cosmetic surgical procedure.

Ms O’Donoghue’s mother Caroline told the inquest that the doctors in Turkey said she was “fit to fly."

Ms O’Donoghue underwent surgery in Turkey on April 16 and was pronounced dead exactly one week later in University Hospital Limerick on April 23, 2025.

Limerick Coroner’s Court in Kilmallock heard that Ms O’Donoghue’s husband Jonathan said that she wasn’t feeling well, her legs were swollen and she collapsed in the kitchen of their home.

He performed CPR on her for 20 minutes, but his efforts were not successful and his wife was transferred to University Hospital Limerick, where she was pronounced dead on April 23.

The 38-year-old left behind her three sons Jamie, Jason and JJ and her daughter Annaleise Mary.

She died on the day of her oldest son’s 20th birthday.

The autopsy report revealed that Ms O’Donoghue had signs of a blood clot in her lungs.

A toxicology report by pathologist Dr Teresa Laszlo showed that there was cocaine and diazepam in her system, but no alcohol.

The cause of death was determined to be a blood clot, caused by recent liposuction surgery, which was followed by air travel and drug use.
Dr Laszlo’s report said that the “cocaine use may have contributed” to her death and that the “cocaine level was significant.”
She added that this, along with the air travel, would increase the risk of a blood clot.
The family asked the coroner John McNamara if Ms O’Donoghue would have felt anything, but he said that death involving a blood clot “is very sudden.”
They also asked if she should have been put on blood thinners when she left Turkey, which the coroner said “could have helped”, but that there were a variety of factors which contributed to her death.
He acknowledged that “it is very difficult to discuss Lydia’s death like this - her untimely death a couple of months ago.”
Mr McNamara recorded a verdict of misadventure, saying that Ms O’Donoghue never intended this outcome.
Sympathies were extended to the family by the coroner and also by Sergeant David Delahunty, on behalf of An Garda Síochána.
Ms O'Donoghue was remembered at her funeral Mass in April as a wonderful mother who loved music and fashion and was always the life and soul of the party.
Ms O’Donoghue is survived by her husband Jonathan, four children, her mother Caroline, father Christopher, two sisters and two brothers, along with a wide circle of family and many kind friends.
May she rest in peace.