15 July 1998

A truck driver told an inquest in Castlebar how he tried in vain to avoid a 13-years old student who 'darted out' in from of him from behind a school bus.

The accident happened just yards from the home of the teenager, an only child, at Ballyhowley, Knock.

A verdict in accordance with medical evidence was returned that Ross Donoghue, died as a result of shock, internal haemorrhage, fracture of the skull and contusion of the brain, consistent with being involved in a road traffic accident.

Mr. Sean Harte of Carton Point, Sligo said on February 6 last he was driving a truck loaded with frozen food to Sligo from Claremorris.

He climber a steep hill as he approached Knock. As his view was clear he proceeded towards the village. It was raining heavily at the time.

He continued: "There was a bus stopped on my right and I suddenly saw a figure with a hood on his head dart out from behind the bus.

"I braked and tried to avoid him and crashed into a fence. But the right front wing of the truck came in contact with the young man. There was nothing I could do. I got out and sought assistance."

A witness to the fatal accident, pipe welder Stephen Jervis said he was driving the truck when he saw a bus stopped on the right. Under the bus he saw the feet of a child running to the centre of the road and into the path of the lorry driver. The lorry driver swerved but the lorry struck him. He went and phoned for an ambulance from what turned out to be the teenagers house.

Garda Martin Heffigan, Knock said he went to the scene where the parents of the youth, Richard and Noreen Donoghue told him he had been knocked down by a passing truck. He was taken to the Mayo General Hospital, Castlebar where he died later.

Garda Heffigan said he spoke to the driver of the truck who said he saw the school bus and the child ran across in his path. He had swerved to try and avoid him.

Mr. Sean Bourke Pathology Technician, Mayo General Hospital said the body of the deceased was identified to him by Garda Heffigan and he in turn identified it to the pathologist.

Dr. Sean Maguire said he carried out a post mortem examination on the deceased and found that the cause of death was as above.

The acting Coroner for West Mayo Ms. Eanya Egan extended her sympathy to the parents of the youth. The tragedy was all the greater as he was an only child who had been cut down in the prime of life.

It was a tragic accident for the driver. The evidence showed he did all he could to avoid the accident.

Inspector Jerry Henry extended his sympathy and that of all the Gardai in the Mayo division to the parents on their tragic loss of their only child.

Mrs. Mary King Solicitor, who held a watching brief for CIE associated herself with the remarks as did jury foreman, Mr. Shane Rogers.

Mr. John O'Dwyer Solicitor, representing the Donoghue family thanked all for their kind words. The parents, he said were finding it hard coping with the tragic death. They greatly appreciated the support Richard received from his colleagues in the Gardai and from the driver.

He thanked all who had sympathised with them in this great tragedy.

"I hope they will get the strength to carry the cross they have to bear", he said.

Connaught Telegraph - News & Sport - July 1998