Confusion over reported incident may have led to woman’s death at bus
Dublin Coroner’s Court also heard there were serious inconsistencies between independent and garda reports about the mechanical condition of the vehicle, along with the speed at which it was travelling.
Mary Seavers, aged 74, was struck by the patrol car as she waited at a bus shelter on Clonskeagh Road, Milltown, Dublin on May 22 last year. Ms Seavers, of Farmhill Park, Goatstown, died as a result of her injuries a few weeks later.
Doreen Shivner BL, for the Seavers family, claimed independent tests revealed the tyres on the vehicle were in a worn condition.
The inquest heard a garda public service vehicle inspector found the car was in good mechanical condition with “roadworthy” tyres.
The coroners’ court was told there was also a misunderstanding among various gardaí over the location of a call about suspicious activity by a group of youths on the same date.
Garda Martin Boyle of Donnybrook garda station said he was “100% certain” he was informed by Pearse Street gardaí of an incident at Beech Hill Avenue, which is in Clonskeagh. However, Ms Shivner said Sergeant Gordon O’Brien, who took the original call at Pearse Street, would claim that he identified the location as Beechwood Avenue.
Witness Edward Power said the patrol car was travelling at around 50-60km/h but three other witnesses claimed the vehicle was out of control.
The coroner, Dr Brian Farrell, adjourned the hearing until March 27 next.
