Hit-and-run victim was four times over limit

A pedestrian who died after a hit and run was more than four times over the legal limit for alcohol.

At an inquest into the death of Tomas Nowakowski, 38, Marie Cassidy, the State pathologist, said yesterday that evidence of acute alcohol intoxication was a contributory cause to his death.

At the inquest in Ennis, Prof Cassidy said that Mr Nowakowski’s alcohol levels were 375mg of alcohol per 100ml of blood — drivers found to be in excess of 80mg of alcohol per 100ml of blood face a one-year ban on first conviction.

She said that there was a strong smell of alcohol from Mr Nowakowski and toxicology reports suggest that he was considerably intoxicated and likely to have been unsteady on his feet.

At Ennis District Court last year month, mother of 10, Shirley Doherty was fined €1,000 after pleading guilty to four charges connected to the fatal hit and run of Mr Nowakowski on May 13 last year at Tobartaoscain, Ennis.

The married father of one had been living in Ireland for the previous six years and worked locally in the Hillbilly’s fast-food restaurant in Ennis.

Mr Nowakowski’s wife, Patricia, and child were in Poland on holidays at the time of the accident.

Mr Nowakowski was lying across a speed bump on a road in a residential area when Mrs Doherty drove over him at around 10pm.

The morning after the incident, Ms Doherty presented herself to Ennis Garda Station with her car in an unaltered state.

Prof Cassidy said she was satisfied Mr Nowakowski died from crush injuries as a result of the incident.

She said she was also satisfied Mr Nowakowski suffered no injuries to suggest he was upright at the time of impact.

Coroner Isobel O’Dea adjourned the inquest before a jury to May 8.