From Barry Roche, Southern Correspondent, Cork 7 May 2016
An man suspected of causing the death of another man in a hit-and-run incident in Cork city over two years ago remains abroad after fleeing Ireland, an inquest has heard.
Sgt Fergus Twomey told Cork City Coroner's Court that gardaí are still investigating the death of Gabriel Jean Lege (25) on George's Quay in Cork In October 2013.
"The suspect in relation to this case remains outside of the jurisdiction and the investigation is ongoing," Sgt Twomey told Cork City Coroner, Dr Myra Cullinane at the inquest.
He applied to have to inquest adjourned under the Coroner’s Act because Mr Lege’s death is still being criminally investigated. Dr Cullinane adjourned the inquest to November 10th for mention.
Mr Lege, from Olonne-sur-Mer in the Vendée in western France, died after he was struck by a white Ford Transit van which did not stop on Georges Quay in Cork at 9.30pm on October 31st, 2013.
He was attended to at the scene by passers-by before paramedics arrived. he was taken by ambulance to Cork University Hospital where he died a short time later.
The inquest previously heard that Mr Lege died from shock and haemorrhage due to blunt force trauma to the chest and abdomen and brain injury.
Mr Lege had been working for Apple at its plant at Hollyhill on Cork's northside and had been in the city for about three years and was due to move into a new apartment in the Elysian just before he died.
Following his death, Mr Lege’s mother, Sylvie, paid tribute to her son’s colleagues at Apple and the people of Cork for the support and sympathy they had shown her and her family on their loss.
“Gabriel was knocked down in the prime of his youth, in his joy in life, in his love for this town and this country that he appreciated so much. His head was filled with plans for the future, he loved life,” she said.
“His brother Maxime, his sister Sandrine, and I would like to thank all of those who helped us when we came to Cork to bring Gabriel back to Olonne-sur-Mer, Vendée, his final resting place.”
She said the family had been given a warm welcome in Cork and that “justice had to be done” for her son. She paid particular tribute to the gardaí investigating his death.
