Inquest into death of motorcyclist in Mayo tragedy

The inquest into the death of a motorcyclist in Mayo has opened and adjourned.

The body of a 43-year-old man killed in a road accident in Ballinrobe earlier this month is to be repatriated to his native Latvia this weekend.

An inquest into the death of Bruno Smits, who resided with his wife and daughter at Kilmaine Road, Ballinrobe, was opened and adjourned today by the Coroner for Mayo, Dr. Eleanor Fitzgerald.

The fatal accident which claimed his life occurred at Claremorris Road, Ballinrobe, on June 17 last.

Predeceased by his father-in-law Dzintars, Mr. Smits is mourned missed by his heartbroken wife Sandra, daughter Kristiana, parents Ilgvars and Valija (Kapsede), brother Helmuts, sister Aija Rune, mother-in-law Vita, brothers-in-law Henrik, Aleksandrs, sister-in-law Sarah, relatives, neighbours and large circle of friends, to whom sympathy is tendered.

Removal takes place on Saturday to Kapsede, Latvia, for funeral service at later date.

The family would like to express their gratitude for all the help and support they have received at this difficult time

An investigating garda, Sergeant Sean Burke, told today's brief inquest hearing at Ballina Courthouse that Mr. Smits had been travelling with a fellow biker towards Claremorris when he came off his machine and crashed.

Consultant pathologist Dr. Tamas Nemeth, who carried out a post mortem examination, gave the cause of death as severe brain injury as a result of traumatic head injury.

After hearing evidence of identity and the medical cause of death, the coroner Dr. Fitzgerald adjourned the substantive inquest hearing to a later date.

She explained she had opened the inquest to allow a death certificate to be issued and Mr. Smits's body be repatriated.

The coroner went on to describe the family decision to repatriate the body of their loved one to his homeland as "poignant."