Deaths of garda and young driver were accidental, inquest decides

Wednesday, 23 February 2011 17:24

A jury has concluded that two men killed as a result of a two-car collision at Attycunnane, Belmullet, in the early summer of 2009 suffered accidental deaths. The inquests into the deaths of Stephen Conway, Inver, Barnatra, and Terence Dever, Saula West, Achill, a garda, were held in Ballina last week, where details of the horrific collision on May 10, 2009, were heard.
The jury returned a verdict of accidental death with speed and alcohol as contributing factors.
Evidence was heard that Mr. Conway had alcohol in his system when a post-mortem was conducted on his body and that he was travelling at speed prior to the collision.
Medical evidence as outlined by Dr. Fadel Bennani, consultant pathologist, highlighted the multiple fatal injuries suffered by both Mr. Conway (19) and Mr. Dever (48).
Mr. Conway was pronounced dead at the scene by Dr. Michael Molloy while Mr. Dever died in the accident and emergency department of Mayo General Hospital, Castlebar, at 10 a.m. on the morning in question.

Dr. Bennani said there was evidence of alcohol in Mr. Conway's system. The level indicated by the State laboratory was 164 milligrams of alcohol per 100 millilitres of blood. A sample of Mr. Dever's blood proved negative for alcohol.
The inquest heard that the driver of the car in which Mr. Dever was a passenger, Mr. Aeneas McNulty, also a garda, had some broken bones and lacerations but suffered no serious injuries.
In all, depositions were heard from 18 witnesses – garda, medical, expert and lay – in Ballina courthouse before a jury of eight men last Wednesday.

When the jury verdict was returned, Mr. Patrick Durcan, solicitor on behalf of Mr. Dever's wife, Margaret, and three children, Liam, Alice and Turlough, and the two gardaí, extended his appreciation to the fire service, priests, Dr. Molloy, the medical personnel and the gardaí for their assistance, comfort and support since the incident.
He extended sympathy to the Conway family, represented by Ms. Jennifer Higgins, B.L., saying there were no winners or losers in the Coroner's court that day. He hoped the inquest could bring closer to the issues that arose following the accident.

Dr. Fitzgerald said she hoped the inquest was cathartic in giving the story and helping people. It was 'tragic and regrettable' that two lives were lost but a miracle that Aeneas McNulty survived. In relation to the investigation, it was nobody's fault that a breakdown in communication had occurred and she hoped it closed the issues.