GP appointed as the new coroner for Mayo
Dr Eleanor Fitzgerald has been appointed as the new coroner for the entire Mayo district. The Crossmolina doctor was previously coroner for North Mayo.
Crossmolina GP Dr Eleanor Fitzgerald has been appointed as the sole coroner for Co Mayo.
Dr Fitzgerald, who has acted as Coroner for North Mayo, for more than 20 years, has been selected for the new role.
The move comes following a decision by Minister for Justice, Helen McEntee to amalgamate the two remaining coronial districts in Mayo following the retirement earlier this year of Pat O’Connor, coroner for the Coronal District of Mayo.
Under the powers conferred on her by the Coroners Act 1962-2024, Minister McEntee has directed Dr Fitzgerald to hold office as Coroner for the District of Mayo.
Dr Fitzgerald told the Western People that it was a proud occasion for her and her family.
She previously served as deputy Coroner for North Mayo to her father-in-law, the late Dr Mickey Loftus, before taking over from Dr Loftus following his retirement in 2020.
“It’s a landmark for Mayo I suppose,” said Dr Fitzgerald.
“It’s a vote of confidence and I’m looking forward to the challenge. This is also a recognition of the role of medical practitioners in the coronial process,” she added.
Dr Fitzgerald said she is eager to bring about change in the coronial system.
“I hope that there will be greater inclusiveness and that the service can be improved and streamlined for the bereaved and their families. I would hope to try and reduce the amount of stress that relatives have and feel.” She said she hopes to follow in the footsteps of Dr Loftus and highlight the influence of alcohol in so many deaths in the county.
The amalgamation of the two districts has been in the offing for a number of months but the appointment of Dr Fitzgerlad comes a little earlier than had been anticipated.
It marks an end of an era for the O’Connor family in Swinford. The O’Connor family have been involved in coronial matters in Co Mayo for more than100 years.
