Steven (30) died in his Clonroche home

THE tragic death of a 30-year-old man in Clonroche was recalled.

Steven Byrne, late of Clonroche, died on May 8 in his home.

Garda Brian Kinsella said he was called to a sudden, tragic death in an estate in the village at 7.15 p.m. He met Raymond Furlong, the stepfather of the deceased. Mr Furlong informed him that Mr Byrne’s partner had contacted him as she was concerned about Steven, who hadn’t been seen since around 3 p.m.

Mr Furlong called to his stepson’s house and tried to open the shed door but it was shut. He got an axe from a nearby wall and chopped the door down only to find Steven deceased inside.

Garda Kinsella said two paramedics tried unsuccessfully to revive Steven, adding that a neighbour had used a defibrillator on him, but it had no effect. At 7.40 p.m. Mr Furlong formally identified his stepson’s body to gardaí.

Frances Redmond said she met her neighbour Steven at around noon outside her house. ‘He seemed to be in good form that day and we chatted for around half an hour. At 3.20 p.m. I saw him standing at the pier of his house. At 6.25 p.m. I heard Carol Byrne scream... I would say I was the last person to see Steven alive.’

Consultant pathologist Prof Robert Landers said he performed an autopsy on Steven Byrne. Coroner Dr Sean Nixon recommended a verdict of death by suicide. Dr Nixon extended his condolences to the Byrne family and to his partner on their loss, as did Superintendent John McDonald and the inquest jury forewoman Mary Mernagh.