US citizen was killed in accident on visit to ancestral home in Mayo
The deceased was on the way to Purteen Harbour when the accident occurred.
An 87-year-old American citizen died on a visit to the place of his ancestry when a quad bike he had borrowed veered from a narrow road into a drain, pinning him beneath, an inquest has heard.
Michael J. Gallagher, Sausalito, California, suffered from multiple injuries when the Yamaha quad machine left the narrow approach road leading to Purteen Harbour, Achill Island, on Sunday, June 30, 2024. Mr Gallagher was a regular visitor to Achill, according to his close friend, Achill-based Michael O’Callaghan.
Mr O’Callaghan was one of a number of witnesses who gave evidence at an inquest at Ballina Courthouse last week. The deceased was staying in Mr O’Callaghan’s house on the weekend he died.
“On the morning of June 30, I made breakfast for him," Mr O’Callaghan told coroner Dr Eleanor Fitzgerald. “He was in good spirits, as fit as a fiddle, he was healthier than me."
Mr Gallagher said he had taken a Yamaha quad bike from Mr O'Callaghan's garage to travel to Purteen Harbour and they made arrangements to meet later.
Some time later, when the alarm was raised, Mr O’Callaghan travelled to the accident scene and tried to lift the quad bike off his friend but was unable to do so and shouted for help. After Mr Gallagher had been taken from the drain onto an embankment, CPR was unsuccessfully attempted.
“Michael held my hand, he appeared in pain," his friend testified. “I told him help was on the way. I could see he was fading."
In the course of a statement to gardaí, which was read to the inquest by Gda Sgt Sean McHale, Mr O’Callaghan described the link road where the tragedy occurred as “a bit of a disaster, going away at the edges and narrow”.
Elaborating on Mr Gallagher’s life and his friendship with him, Mr O’Callaghan said Michael had been friends with his late brother, Alan, and had been very kind to all the exiled Irish in San Francisco.
“Michael was a big help to me when my brother Alan died. He would come and go to Achill often. I couldn’t believe this happened.”
Achill-based GP Dr Bernadette O’Leary pronounced Mr Gallagher dead at the scene.
A number of gardaí, including Sgt Gabriel McLoughlin, PSV Inspector for Mayo, were involved in the investigation into the accident.
The quad bike involved was a Yamaha 350, normally used for transporting turf and kept in a shed at the O’Callaghan household.
In his report, Sgt McLoughlin outlined that the quad had been extensively damaged. The brakes, steering lock and tyres were serviceable on the vehicle. However, Sgt McLoughlin noted: “This all-terrain vehicle is an off-road vehicle."
Evidence was given that the speed limit on the route was 80kmph on a local road with an undulating surface and no road verges.
After hearing medical evidence from pathologist Dr Fadel Bennani that Mr Gallagher died from multiple injuries including laceration of the left femoral artery, Dr Fitzgerald returned a verdict of accidental death.
The coroner questioned whether a speed limit of 80kmph was appropriate for such a narrow road on which other accidents could occur.
Referring to Mr Gallagher, she said: “He died (in a place) which he loved and obviously had a good life which unfortunately ended in such a manner.”
The coroner paid tribute to Dr O’Leary and all of the first responders and gardaí who attended at the scene and rendered assistance.
Sgt McHale, on behalf of An Garda Síochána, joined the coroner in expressing sympathy to Mr Gallagher's family and relatives.
- Published as part of the Court Reporting Scheme.
