A cyclist died from traumatic head injuries following a collision with a vehicle within metres of his Dublin home, an inquest has heard.
Pádraic Carney (53) of Butterfield Close, Rathfarnham, Dublin 14, was cycling along Butterfield Park on the morning of June 20th, 2017, at 8.05am when he was fatally injured.
Mr Carney, a father of three and principal of St Louis Senior Primary School, Rathmines, was described as a “highly-regarded, exemplary leader” at an inquest into his death at Dublin Coroner’s Court.
The inquest heard Mr Carney was approaching the junction of Butterfield Park and Butterfield Close when his Raleigh bicycle collided with a passing car.
There were no eyewitnesses to the collision, the court heard.
CCTV footage of the event was obscured by a rose bush at a critical moment, Garda Gareth Vance said.
He said interviewed the driver of the car William Harrington (77) at the scene.
He said Mr Harrington and his wife Joan were travelling from their home at Boden Park to Heuston Station that morning and the couple were familiar with the road.
Collided
“He told me he saw the cyclist ahead of him. He told me he saw the cyclist turn his head but the cyclist did not alter his position on the road,” Garda Vance said.
Ms Harrington, who was in the front seat, heard a bang and her husband realised the car had collided with the bicycle as they passed.
Mr Carney was not wearing a helmet or high visibility clothing, the court heard.
Forensic Collision Investigator Garda John Culleton said both the car and the bicycle were travelling in the same direction at a similar speed along Butterfield Park when the collision occurred.
“Both parties were travelling alongside and either could have encroached on the other. One moved towards the other and contact was made.
“I cannot say who made the contact between these vehicles. There was contact between both parties but I can’t say who made the manoeuvre that resulted in contact,” Garda Culleton said.
Traumatic head injury
Mr Carney was taken by ambulance to Tallaght Hospital and later transferred to Beaumont Hospital.
Scans revealed he suffered a traumatic head injury with a fractured skull and swelling of the brain. He died at 9.26pm.
Pathologist Dr Francesca Brett gave the cause of death as severe cerebral trauma due to injuries sustained in the collision.
The jury of three women and three men returned a verdict of accidental death and made a recommendation that all cyclists wear helmets.
Coroner Dr Myra Cullinane extended her sympathy to the family on their loss.
“This has been a devastating loss, it was such an unexpected and tragic thing that occurred. He was regarded very highly and was an exemplary leader. As headmaster of St Louis Senior School, he has been a great loss to that community also,” the coroner said.