Driver misses coroner’s court date

A DRIVER whose passenger was killed while they were following the Cork 20 Rally failed to appear at a coroner’s court yesterday to give evidence about the accident.

As a result, the coroner said he would be issuing a summons to Tom Lyons, Carriganima, Macroom, Co Cork and to two “independent witnesses” who also failed to appear.

Coroner Michael Kennedy said if they failed to turn up on March 29, they could face fines of up to €3,000 or jail terms.

Dr Kennedy apologised to the parents of Shane Cooney for the “hassle” and “trauma” of having to endure a second hearing, but explained it was necessary to have all witness evidence.

Shane Cooney, aged 19, from Coolkiska, Coachford, Co Cork was in an Audi 80 driven by Mr Lyons when it crashed on the main road between Millstreet in Co Cork and Rathmore in Co Kerry, on October 4, 2003.

Evidence was given that the Audi overtook a vehicle on a humpback bridge and flew into the air. When it landed, it veered out of control, crashed into a tree and ended up in a ditch.

Deputy State Pathologist Dr Margaret Bolster said Mr Cooney had external injuries and skull fractures and would have died instantly.