This article is from page 14 of the 2009-11-24 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 14 JPG
THE continuing difficulties posed by flooding led to the early adjournment of an inquest at the Coroner’s Court in Ennis yesterday.
County Coroner Isobel O’Dea ad- journed the inquest into the death of a Tubber man after being told that a garda due to provide a statement would be unable to attend as he was currently on vital flood relief duty.
After initially calling a temporary adjournment, Ms O’Dea then stated that she was adjourning the inquest entirely. She told the court that the garda in question was assisting with flood relief efforts and would be un- able to attend.
A jury had earlier been sworn in for the inquest into the death of Michael Conroy who died following a tragic accident at his farm on July 12, 2009. Prior to the adjournment, the inquest heard details of the incident that led to Mr Conroy’s death.
Inspector Michael Gallagher read
the deposition of Tim Walsh who had been visiting the deceased’s home when the accident occurred.
The Coroner’s Court heard that Mr Walsh, who lives in the American State of Massachusetts, had been in Ireland to see his sister.
The inquest was told that Mr Walsh arrived to Mr Conroy’s farm on July 12. Mr Walsh stated that Mr Conroy wanted to show him a new tractor. He said that when Mr Conroy turned the key, “the tractor jumped forward”.
He said that Mr Conroy was stand- ing beside the tractor. “I think the big wheel ran over his chest,’ said Mr Walsh.
The court heard that Mr Conroy’s daughter identified her father’s body to gardai later that day.
No further depositions were heard and Ms O’Dea adjourned the in- quest.