Driver fails to appear at inquest into death of passenger

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 tragic 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 at the inquest.

Coroner Michael Kennedy said that if they failed to turn up at the reconvened hearing on March 29, a new law could leave them facing fines of up to €3,000 or even 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 a front-seat passenger 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.

Robin O’Callaghan, who was also a passenger in the car, told the coroner that they had decided to go to Rathmore to watch a stage of the rally. He said they had been travelling “faster than normal” before the crash occurred. Inspector Senan Ryan said there was no way to accurately predict what speed the car was travelling at.

Evidence was given that the Audi overtook another 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 overturned in a ditch.

Shane Cooney was pronounced dead at the scene by a local doctor.

Garda Pat Roche said the car “came to rest 120 yards from the bridge”. He described that as “a considerable distance”.

Garda Roche said the bridge was on a straight piece of road and it was the first accident he’d come across there in a number of years.

Deputy State Pathologist Dr Margaret Bolster said Shane Cooney had multiple external injuries and multiple skull fractures. He would have died instantly and wouldn’t have suffered.

Sergeant Denis O’Shea, a Garda PSV (public service vehicle) inspector, said he examined the Audi and found that two of its tyres had thread below the legal limit. Otherwise the car had been in roadworthy order.