Retiring coroner praised for 'compassion' for bereaved families

Warm tributes were paid at Swinford Courthouse last week to retiring Mayo coroner Patrick O’Connor, who concluded his last inquest after 36 years in the role.

After a long day that saw a list of 11 inquests to be heard, an emotional Mr O’Connor was praised by legal and medical colleagues, members of the gardaí and the media, as he took his leave from a job he performed so diligently over the years.

Opening the tributes, Catherine Bourke, President of the Mayo Bar Solicitors’ Association, said on behalf of the solicitors she wished to thank Mr O’Connor and indeed the O’Connor family who served in the role of coroner for a combined 117 years. Ms Bourke said the hundreds of inquests conducted by Mr O’Connor had been done with great dignity and dealt with as swiftly as possible, which was always very much appreciated by his colleagues.

Diarmuid Connolly BL, on behalf of the Mayo barristers, said Mr O’Connor had "done the State some service" and been a source of comfort to many stressed families facing inquests. He also praised the retiring coroner for using his office to highlight issues of road safety.

Veteran journalist Tom Sheil also joined in the tributes.

"On behalf of the Press, we really appreciate your courtesy and assistance over the years, a heartfelt thank you."

Western correspondent with the Irish Independent, Evan Murray, told Mr O’Connor he will be very much missed by all and that his professionalism and empathy made him a stand-out coroner.

Garda Sgt Conor Drury commended Mr O’Connor on his "stellar career as coroner of Mayo", adding that he had been available at all hours whenever contacted, which was much appreciated, as was his consideration, kindness and compassion with all those he helped through difficult times.

"You have left huge shoes to fill and we wish you every happiness and good health in your retirement.” 

Gda Inspector Naomi De Ris, of Swinford Garda Station, said on behalf of An Garda Síochana, said Mr O'Connor was always measured, informed and very open to greater cooperation between the coroner’s office and the gardaí, which created so much goodwill, adding that there had been great feedback on his professionalism from families who have gone through really difficult times.

Consultant pathologist at Mayo University Hospital, Dr Fadel Bennani, congratulated Mr O’Connor on his work as coroner, saying he was always very supportive and gave the pathologists great help during difficult cases. 

“There have been some really tragic cases but you always think about us and the staff in the mortuary and you kept a good relationship with hospital staff, you gave them lectures and insight into the role of coroner and what should and should not be done and they very much appreciate that and I hear it all the time when I walk the corridors.” 

He added that he and Mr O’Connor had worked together for 21 years since he moved from Galway to Mayo and that he had really enjoyed their time together.

MUH mortician Sean Derrig, on behalf of all the mortuary staff, said Mr O’Connor had been so good and easy to work with.

Managing Partner at P. O’Connor and Sons Solicitors, Samantha Geraghty, also paid tribute to Mr O’Connor and said they looked forward to having him back working in the office.

Earlier in the day, solicitor John Geary also paid tribute to Mr O'Connor for the "caring and compassionate way you have dealt with the countless families who have gone through so much grief in losing their loved ones". 

"You brought your legal experience to this important role and have left a great legacy in breathing new life into this courtroom here in Swinford. You were pivotal in its reopening, it is an example of what can be done when community spirit is forged and great credit to you for that and I wish you well in your retirement and in the future.”

Thanking the various speakers for their kind words, an emotional Mr O’Connor expressed appreciation to friends and family members, including grandchildren, who were also in attendance in the courthouse for his last day and reminded everyone that he was "not going away". With their indulgence, he said he wished to read out a few words he had prepared, in which he spoke about the importance of the coroner’s service, the value of Swinford Courthouse as a venue for multiple events, while on a personal level, he extended thanks to the staff in O’Connor Solicitors for their great support over the years, namely Maura Kennedy and before her the late Patty Cross, adding he was also so grateful to his wife Gilian, a nurse, who has been so supportive and helpful over the years and whose medical knowledge had assisted him greatly.

He also said the inquiries he carried out as coroner were only possible because of the dedicated service to the public by a great number of people, including An Garda Síochána, the pathologists and staff of the Mortuary in Mayo University Hospital, as well as doctors, staff and management in the hospital led by Catherine Donohue.

Special mention also went to staff and management in nursing homes, district hospitals, care homes and Mayo Roscommon Hospice, as well as all the general medical practitioners for their contribution to the coroner's service over the years. Mr O’Connor also paid tribute to the great work done by the first responders who attend the scenes where an accident or fatality has occurred.

He also extended particular thanks to Mayo County Council, which has responsibility for providing the coroner’s service in the county, for having refurbished the courthouse in Swinford as the inquest venue and thanked the Courts Service for being accommodating with all requests.

Finally, he acknowledged the sensitive and careful coverage of inquests by the media, particularly the local newspapers and radio, and acknowledged the support and friendship from other coroners in County Mayo, particularly Dr Eleanor Fitzgerald, current coroner for North Mayo, as well as those who acted as deputy coroner, especially his late aunt, Moya O’Connor, and also his colleagues, Regina Hopkins, Brendan Donnelly, Paul Cunney and his son William O’Connor, Deputy Coroner.

Extending sympathy to all who were bereaved over the years, he concluded: “I do hope my years of service have been of some benefit to the public and, more recently, my recommendations following a number of inquests relating to the tragedy of deaths on the roads in the county, particularly the N5 and N17.”