Verdict of misadventure in death of Andrew (36)
A VERDICT of misadventure was recorded at the inquest in the Coroner’s Court in Gorey last week into the death of Andrew Connolly, at his home at 14 Cluain Charmann, Enniscorthy, on August 22, 2016. He was 36 years old.
Witness Peter Quinn of 6 Slaney View Park, Enniscorthy, said he met Andrew Connolly at 10.30 a.m. on August 22, and they went to Donohoe’s pub where they had five pints and played darts. They then went to Doyle’s pub at 2 p.m. where they had two pints. Mr Quinn then went to Pettitt’s where he bought 18 cans of Budweiser, while Mr Connolly didn’t buy anything.
Returning to Andrew Connolly’s house at 2.40 p.m. they had a few Jack Daniels and Coke.
Mr Quinn said Andrew made a few visits to the bathroom saying his stomach was at him.
He later found him lying on the floor of the bathroom, unresponsive. An empty bottle of rum was found behind toilet. at 3.35 p.m. and Andrew was in
Michelle Kinsella of 2 Mernaghthethe bathroom.Street visitedShe checkedthe house him several times. She said Peter moved him to the ground while she went to the toilet.
Peter was asleep on the couch when she left at 5.50 p.m. She returned at 10.30 p.m. and Peter was still asleep. She found Andrew on the bathroom floor deceased.
Ann Murphy of 4 Nolan’s Lawn, Enniscorthy, also went to the house with her, as Michelle was worried because Andrew wasn’t answering his phone.
Blood tests carried out after a post mortem conducted by Dr Ruth Law found that there were 398 mg of alcohol per 100 ml of blood, which was within the lethal range. She found the cause of death was fatal acute ethanol intoxication.
Coroner Dr Sean Nixon recommended a verdict of misadventure, as it was an unintended outcome of an intended act.
Sympathies were expressed by the coroner, jury and gardaí. Dr Nixon commented that it was ‘a very sad and tragic loss of a young person.’