Stabbing inquest adjourned over probe

GARDAÍ were yesterday granted an adjournment of an inquest into the death of a 26-year-old man after they said they needed more time to complete their investigation.

The inquest into the death of Trevor Clancy was opened in Mallow, Co Cork, by coroner Dr Michael Kennedy, who heard evidence of the identity of the victim and the cause of his death.

On New Year’s Eve last, Mr Clancy was spotted by nightclub security men in Fermoy carrying two knives. They contacted gardaí who tried to take the knives from him. However, Mr Clancy, who was in a very agitated state, stabbed Sergeant John Liston and ran off.

He crossed the bridge in Fermoy heading towards his home at Pike Road. He was stopped outside the town park where gardaí and members of his family pleaded with him to hand over the knives. All of a sudden he turned his back to them, pointed the two knives to his chest and thrust himself up against a wall.

Assistant state pathologist Dr Margaret Bolster told the inquest that Mr Clancy had died from haemorrhage and shock due to stab wounds to the heart.

Mr Clancy’s father Eamon, who attended the inquest, had officially identified his son’s body at Cork University Hospital at 5.55pm on the day he died.

Inspector Senan Ryan said that gardaí needed more time to complete their investigation and he was seeking an adjournment because of this.

The coroner asked Inspector Ryan when he thought the investigation would be complete.

The inspector said he wasn’t sure, although he was expecting it to be finalised before the end of this year.

Dr Kennedy said he would adjourn the inquest for mention in November at which time it might be able to proceed. He said he opened the inquest yesterday so that Trevor Clancy’s family would be able to receive a death certificate.

Dr Kennedy then offered his sympathy to the Clancy family.

Inspector Ryan did the same on behalf of the gardaí.

Sergeant Liston is making a recovery, although he has still not returned to work.