Husband was not told that wife believed she 'might do something', Coroner’s Court hears

Darren Coleman, husband of the late Nicola Keane, leaving the Dublin District Coroner's Court. Picture: Colin Keegan, Collins Dublin

A man whose wife and baby son tragically died three years ago has said he was never told by doctors that his wife might harm herself or their child.

Dublin District Coroner’s Court heard that Nicola Keane, 34, had told doctors at Crumlin Hospital just three months before her death that she was worried she “might do something” because of the persistent crying of her baby boy, Henry.

Concerns were raised with the emergency services on October 22, 2020, about the behaviour of Ms Keane from Lucan, Co Dublin, who was seen near the M50 toll bridge at around 3.45am.

Her car was found abandoned with the key in the ignition when members of the emergency services were called to the scene.

Ms Keane’s remains were later discovered at Lower Rd, Strawberry Beds in West Dublin. CCTV had captured her jumping from the bridge.

When gardaí called to her home to notify her husband Darren Coleman, who had been asleep, he discovered their seven-month-old son Henry dead upstairs.

Mr Coleman said he opened the door and gardaí had told him his wife’s car was found and she had died.

Mr Coleman said: “Where is my baby?”, adding that “the gardaí were confused”.

He said he “sprinted upstairs” to where the baby had been earlier with his mother.

“I grabbed him, but he was lifeless,” he said. 

I knew he was dead."

Mr Coleman gave evidence to say his wife was receiving treatment for post-natal depression following the birth of their son in February 2020 and had been prescribed medication.

Medical records showed Ms Keane had been concerned about herself and her son three months before she died, and said he “hates me". She was afraid she might harm him, the inquest heard.

Giving evidence, Mr Coleman said if he knew his wife might harm their son, he would not have gone back to work.

Ms Keane was a paediatric nurse and worked at Crumlin Children’s Hospital, and Mr Coleman is a teacher.

They had their first baby, Henry, in February 2020. However, Mr Coleman said the child was suffering from “irritability” and that he cried for lengthy periods, leaving both he and his wife “exhausted”.

Mr Coleman discussed his concerns about his wife’s mental health with her two sisters.

He told the court that nobody ever told him what his wife had disclosed to clinicians about the possibility of harming herself or their son.

“At no stage was I ever asked for my opinion,” said Mr Coleman.

Giving evidence, consultant paediatrician, Dr Una Murtagh, said there were no findings of any medical problem in relation to the baby.

She said she became very concerned about Ms Keane’s behaviour on July 7, 2020, and a meeting was held with other doctors to refer her to psychiatric services.

Dr Murtagh broke down a number of times in her evidence and said: “We were all very worried. She had deteriorated since the last time I saw her."

She said she had a discussion with Ms Keane about thoughts of suicide and self-harm. 

"She said she wouldn’t do anything,” she said. "I felt if the baby was fine, she would be fine."

The case will continue on Tuesday.

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