Foxford man, 42, died as a result of tragic drowning accident
The inquest was heard at Ballina Courthouse.
A verdict of death by misadventure has been recorded in the case of a Foxford man who tragically drowned while home from England for his father’s funeral.
Aidan Howley, a 42-year-old landscape gardener, died on October 31 last, having travelled home to his native Curradrish, Foxford, for the funeral of his father Martin.
Mr Howley's brother David told the inquest at Ballina Courthouse that he and Aidan had gone for a drink on Monday, October 30, after they had attended their father's funeral. David said he arrived at the family home before his brother and went to bed. He later woke at 5am and discovered that his brother was not in the house but his mobile telephone was there.
A search party was organised that morning and continued into the afternoon. At 1.40pm, a neighbour, Ann Tolan, spotted a person lying face down in a roadside drain and the emergency services were contacted. The inquest heard that Noel Howley, Aidan's uncle, formally identified the body.
Gda Pat Coleman said he attended the scene and observed Aidan Howley lying face down in the drain. It was a shallow drain, with about 18 inches of water.
Dr Fedel Bennani, consultant pathologist, told the inquest that his colleague Tamas Nemeth carried out a postmortem. He observed that both lungs were heavy, over-extended and full of fluid, which he said were classic indications of drowning. Dr Bennani said the level of alcohol consumed prior to death would have also been a factor.
North Mayo coroner Dr Eleanor Fitzgerald said Aidan Howley’s death was a tragic occurrence caused by drowning. Giving a verdict of death by misadventure, Dr Fitzgerald offered her sympathy to the Howley family on the loss of both Martin and Aidan Howley within days of one another.
Gda Sean McHale offered his condolences to the family and said the search operation was a great example of the ‘meitheal’ spirit.
Noel Howley, on behalf of the family, thanked the Foxford Search and Rescue group, the Gardaí in Foxford, friends and neighbours who helped with the search and parish priest Fr John Maloney.
