Forensic collision report awaited on Mayo road tragedy

AN ongoing garda investigation into the death of a 34-year-old South African-born scientist in a road traffic accident at Breaffy, Castlebar, last December is expected to be completed before Christmas, an inquest was told today.

Supt Joe McKenna told the hearing in Castlebar that gardai are awaiting a forensic collision report from Dublin Castle into the impact on the N60 which claimed the life of David Henning on December 27 last.

Mr. Henning was a member of a family which runs a jewellery manufacturing enterprise at Killawalla, Westport.

Members of the deceased's family were in Castlebar Courthouse when the inquest was opened and adjourned by the Coroner for Mayo, Pat O’Connor.

Medical evidence was given to the hearing that Mr. Henning died from multiple injuries.

After adjourning the hearing to December 20 at Swinford Courthouse, Coroner O’Connor sympathised with the family on their sad loss.

Stressing the need for improved safety on the roads, the coroner noted there that so far this year there have been 135 deaths so far on Irish roads this year.

“Bodies are fragile, cars are not," the coroner remarked.

Supt. Joe McKenna, on behalf of An Garda Siochana, joined in the expression of sympathy.