Inquest was one of the longest in Mayo’s history
Coroner Pat O'Connor said the inquest took a total of 135 hours.
The inquest into the untimely death of Lahardane man Patrick Rowland, who drowned in the Castlebar River after he absconded from Mayo University Hospital in January 2023, was one of the longest to be ever held in Mayo.
Mayo coroner Patrick O'Connor said the inquest lasted for 135 hours across multiple dates at Swinford Courthouse.
Speaking on Monday, July 22nd, after delivering a verdict of accidental death, Mr O'Connor said he received a considerable amount of documentation in relation to this matter. In addition, evidence was heard from 31 witnesses including members of Mr Rowland’s family, medical personnel and other staff from Mayo University Hospital and members of An Garda Síochána who investigated the disappearance and tragic death of the 69-year-old.
The inquest was first opened on June 19, 2023, during which preliminary evidence of the identity of the deceased and a medical cause of death (asphyxia due to drowning) was given. The inquest was then adjourned to allow investigations to continue.
Mr O’Connor also sat at Swinford Courthouse on several occasions in advance of the full hearing date, namely on December 18, 2023, March 25 and April 15 last. The case was also listed for mention on various other dates.
The inquest was reopened on June 17 to allow Mr O'Connor to review the draft depositions he had received and to take preliminary submissions about the witnesses that would give oral evidence. The 31 witnesses gave their evidence between June 18 and 30, with some spending considerable periods on the witness stand as they were questioned at length by legal representatives from both sides.
When the oral evidence concluded, Mr O’Connor invited the legal teams to provide him with submissions ahead of the verdict as well as any recommendations they considered appropriate.
The Rowland family was represented by Roger Murray SC (Callan Tansey Solicitors) and Mayo University Hospital (MUH) was represented by Luán O Braonáin (RDJ Solicitors). The inquest was finalised on July 22nd.
“In all, my review of the materials and the hearings on the various dates took approximately 135 hours,” said Mr O’Connor.
