GAA referee died instantly after car hit oncoming vehicle

A well-known GAA intercounty referee died instantly after his car crossed the road into the path of an oncoming vehicle, an inquest heard yesterday.

There were heavy gusts of wind at the time of the accident which claimed the life of Shane Hourigan, aged 44. He had left his home at Ballywilliam, Rathkeale, Co Limerick, and the accident happened nearby at Reens.

A coroner’s court in Limerick was told he died from extensive injuries. Two men in the other vehicle were seriously injured.

Garda Denis McCarthy, Rathkeale, said he got to the scene at 6.45am on January 27. Ambulance and fire crews were also at the scene. The fire crew were cutting two men from one vehicle, a Renault people carrier. The garda was informed that the driver of the second car was dead.

On going to that car, a Passat, he recognised the deceased as Mr Hourigan.

Both vehicles were extensively damaged and two witnesses at the scene told him that Mr Hourigan’s car had come across the road into the path of the oncoming Renault, driven by Petras Poplavski, a Lithuanian national.

Mr Poplavski, whose teenage daughter acted as interpreter, said he had left his home in Newcastle West at around 6.24am and picked up a work colleague. They were on their way to work at a meat plant in Rathkeale. He was travelling at 90km/h. Approaching a bend, a car came against him on Mr Poplavski’s side of the road.

This car was clearly out of control, the court heard. Mr Poplavski braked hard, but could not avoid a collision.

There had been showers and the road was wet. There had also been strong gusts of wind.

Garda road accident scene investigator Michael Reddy gave evidence of the extensive damage to both vehicles.

A verdict of accidental death was recorded.