Experts disagree over cause of death of Dublin man

A retired pathologist has told a manslaughter trial that he disagrees with the conclusions of the chief State pathologist that the alleged victim died from a rare type of cardiac arrest.

On Thursday, chief State pathologist Marie Cassidy told the jury in the trial of Paul Brannigan, 24, that the man died from commotio cordis, a rare cause of death resulting from a blow to the chest.

Dublin Circuit Criminal Court heard that the cause of death was more prevalent in America, specifically among ice hockey players and baseball pitchers who collapsed after being hit by the hard ball or puck.