Pub death inquest is adjourned amid threat claims

AN inquest into the death of a man following his ejection from a pub was adjourned yesterday following legal submissions which included claims of threats to the lives of key witnesses.

There was tight security at Cork Circuit Court for the regular sitting of Cork City Coroner’s Court as the inquest of Anthony ‘Farmer’ Hennessy was listed for hearing.

Mr Hennessy, 40, died following an incident at the Mo Chúisle pub on Blarney Street in Cork on March 13, 2008. Three men were charged in connection with the death.

Tony Burns, of 19 Knockfree Avenue, Fairhill, Cork, Niall Burns, of 2 Glen Springs, Blackstone Bridge, Cork, and Terry Burns, of 40 Blarney Street, Cork, all in their 40s, were each charged with endangerment on March 13/14, 2008, at Blarney Street, Cork.

It was alleged they intentionally or recklessly engaged in the forceful restraint of Anthony Hennessy which created a substantial risk of death or serious injury.

They went on trial last November before Judge Seán O Donnabháin and a jury of eight women and four men at Cork Circuit Criminal Court.

Terry and Tony Burns were found not guilty by direction of the trial judge.

After a six-day trial, Niall Burns was found not guilty by the unanimous decision of the jury.

Yesterday’s inquest was adjourned after solicitors for the three men who were charged in connection with his death, and for Mr Hennessy’s family, made submissions to city coroner, Dr Myra Cullinane.

The Burns’ solicitor Frank Buttimer made a submission, arguing why the men should not be called to give direct evidence to the coroner.

He said there is an “extensive and existing threat” to their lives and well-being, and that each of the men is the subject of civil proceedings instigated by a member of Mr Hennessy’s family.

He said the coroner’s enquiry should only concern itself with establishing the medical cause of death, and the circumstances surrounding the death. “If they are to attend, they would not be able to contribute to this matter,” he said.

He also said the men have made extensive depositions to the Gardaí which can be read in to the record.

Solicitor Vincent Toher, who represents Mr Hennessy’s partner of 19 years, Yvonne Quilligan, said: “If certain witnesses don’t attend, the vacuum existing would only harbour further sorrow.”

Dr Cullinane told Mr Hennessy’s family she wants her enquiry to be meaningful but impartial.

Adjourning the inquest, the coroner said she will consider the submissions and mention the inquest again on September 23.

In a separate but related incident, a man has been charged with having a loaded sawn-off shotgun in the Mo Chúisle pub on Friday, May 21, last.

The man was shot in the stomach by a member of the armed Regional Response Unit.