Ambulance not immediately available to take road fall victim to hospital

A 65-year-old man who collapsed in Castlebar in the early hours of October 19 and later died was rushed in a garda car to Mayo General Hospital because an ambulance wasn't immediately available, an inquest has heard.

Evidence was given at the inquest today (Friday) into the death of Christy McGrath, 2 Rathbawn Road, Castlebar, that the nearest ambulance available was despatched to Boyle in Co. Roscommon and would take some 40 minutes to arrive.

Mr. McGrath was lifted into the back of a patrol car and rushed to hospital, where he died six days later.

Dr. Fadel Bennani, consultant pathologist, who carried out a post-mortem examination, told the inquest the cause of death was cerebral haemorrhage caused by a fall.

In response to a question from the coroner, John O'Dwyer, Dr. Bennani said that even if there had been an immediate response by an ambulance, he did not believe there would have been a different outcome.

Evidence was given to the hearing that tests showed Mr. McGrath, who collapsed outside The Grove housing estate, Castlebar, around 1.20 a.m. on October 19 had a high level of alcohol in his system.

Mr. O'Dwyer recorded a verdict of misadventure. In his closing remarks, the coroner said that it was clear that Mr. McGrath would not have survived even if he got intensive care on the spot.

Footnote: The deceased, a retired member of An Garda Síochána, was a well known and popular figure in Castlebar. He was a native of Carrowtigue in the Mayo Gaeltacht.