The independence of the Garda Ombudsman Commission has been called into question at an inquest in Limerick into the deaths of two men who were hit by a car driven by a garda who was going off duty late at night.

A RETIRED school teacher received fatal injuries when hit by a falling branch which had been broken off when hit by a passing lorry, an inquest heard yesterday.

A JURY in the trial of a Kerryman charged with dangerous driving causing the deaths of a garda and a firefighter were last night discharged at Limerick Circuit Court after they could not agree on a verdict following three weeks of evidence.

A MOBILE phone found in the driver’s side of a car after it struck and killed a firefighter and garda contained a number of text and phone messages made and received shortly before the fatal impact, a court heard.