Coroner criticises health and safety watchdog over 'small' report into man's death in ambulance blaze

It is understood the fire arose after an oxygen cylinder in the vehicle ignited. File picture: Denis Minihane

A coroner has sharply criticised the Health and Safety Authority over its dealings with an inquest into the death of an elderly Kildare man who died after an ambulance turned into a fireball almost a decade ago.

Kildare county coroner Loretta Nolan told an inquest into the death of retired stud groom and farm labourer Christopher Byrne she was not satisfied the contents of a summary report provided by the HSA into the circumstances were sufficient.