Dangers of driving on piers highlighted after island fatality

A friend has told an inquest of his desperate efforts to save the life of 88-year-old Charles O’Malley after the latter’s jeep went off a pier on Clare Island just over a year ago.

As the veteran ferry operator and fisherman’s Hyundai Santa Fe vehicle sank off Gort a Choile slipway, he managed to shout to Michael Gallagher: “Pull me up”.

“I went down the pier and threw him a rope but he didn’t respond”, Mr Gallagher told an inquest into Mr O’Malley’s death, which was conducted in Ballina Courthouse by Mayo coroner Dr Eleanor Fitzgerald.

“The water started to spill in the (jeep) window,” Mr Gallagher continued as he recalled the tragic events of May 6, 2025. “I took off my wellingtons and went into the water. The water was so cold.

“I had no phone and went to the school above the pier for help. The kids were out playing. I told the teachers, Mary and Lindsey. They raised the alarm.” 

Mr Gallagher recounted how he had spoken to Charles around 12.40pm as the latter made his way down to the pier. He said Charles had asked him what paint he had used on his currach.

“I told him the tin was down on the pier and he said he would go down and take a look. I went to my house and when I came back 15 minutes later the jeep was in the water. I could not believe what I was seeing."

In a deposition to gardaí read into evidence at the inquest by Sgt Noel Crinnegan, Achill Island-based GP Dr Noreen Lineen, who responded to the emergency via lifeboat, said Mr O’Malley showed no sign of life when she arrived. The vehicle had been fully submerged for over an hour, she added.

Evidence was given to the hearing that the jeep was in second gear with the handbrake up when recovered from the water. There were no tyre marks on the pier, which was described by a garda as having a concrete surface and in reasonably good condition.

The brakes on the 2007 jeep were in “an advanced state of wear” but were working, according to a Garda public service vehicle investigator.

Mr O’Malley’s remains were taken by rescue R118 helicopter to the morgue at Mayo University Hospital where a post-mortem examination was later carried out. Pathologist Dr Fadel Bennani outlined the cause of death as asphyxia due to drowning. Tests for alcohol proved negative, Dr Bennani said.

Dr Fitzgerald said the 88-year-old Mr O’Malley was obviously healthy, active and living happily on Clare Island with his family and community.

Delivering her verdict that the death was accidental, the coroner said the tragedy highlighted once again the risk involved in driving on piers and slipways. What happened should serve as a warning to others about the dangers involved, Dr Fitzgerald stated.

The coroner said she was impressed by the quick response of the emergency services, adding that such a prompt response was reassuring for island and coastal communities.

• Published as part of the Courts Reporting Scheme.