Sun’s glare may have caused accident which claimed brothers’ lives

A road accident which claimed the lives of two Limerick brothers may have been caused by the sun’s glare on a roadway, an inquest heard yesterday.

Michael Hourigan, aged 75, of Ahane, Lisnagry, and Richard Hourigan, aged 77, of Birdhill, received major injuries as they drove from a local shop on Jan 3 last. Both subsequently died at the Mid-West Regional Hospital.

An inquest in Limerick heard yesterday that they were in a Toyota Corolla, driven by Michael which came out of a minor road onto a main road. It then collided with a 4x4.

A Garda expert said Mr Hourigan may have not seen the 4x4 due to a glare on the road caused by the position of the sun that afternoon.

Patrick O’Connell said he was driving near Lisnagry on the afternoon of Jan 3 last when a 4x4 passed him.

He saw a Toyota Corolla approach from a side road. It then proceeded onto the main road where it was struck by the 4x4.

The 4x4 swerved, but the driver did not have enough time to avoid the Toyota.

Edward Young, driver of the 4x4 said while he did not remember braking, he imagined he did so as this would have been his natural reaction.

There was no fault found in either vehicle which would have contributed to the accident.

Garda Kirwan said at the time of the collision the sun would have been shining on the road and this would have caused a glare.

Coroner Dr Tony Casey recorded a verdict that both brothers died from injuries consistent with having been involved in a road traffic accident.

Dr Casey said: “This must have been a horrific day for the Hourigan family.”