John (28) was missing for days

A Wexford man who had been missing for a number of days died by misadventure.

The inquest into the death of John Wadding Byrne (28) of 7, Belvedere Grove, Coolcotts, Wexford town was heard last Thursday’s sitting of Wexford Coroner’s Court.

Garda Declan Mulqueen said he received a call on June 16 that a body had been found near Wexford bridge by a fisherman. The RNLI recovered the body, identified by Sgt Pat Casey who said Mr Wadding Byrne had been missing since June 12 and he knew him to talk too.

Inspector Mark Foley read into the court the deposition of Jack Ennis, from King Street, who said he was a close friend. On Sunday, June 11, he had been out with Mr Wadding Byrne in Jack Bailey’s watching a match. He said that Mr Wadding Byrne didn’t have a drink until after the match. They then went to Mooney’s on the Quay and Mr Wadding Byrne went to the smoking area. When he returned he said he was going home. Mr Ennis said the sudden leaving wasn’t out of character for John and that he wasn’t worried about him. The following day Mr Wadding Byrne’s brother Lee contacted him to see if he knew where John was.

Pathologist Dr Christine Shilling said that there was no evidence of assault. Mr Wadding Byrne had an alcohol level of 143 per cent and there was a high level of cocaine in his system. Death, she said, was caused by drowning with his alcohol and drug levels a contributing factor.

County coroner Dr Sean Nixon recommended that the jury return a verdict of death by misadventure which they did.

He said that because of the alcohol and drugs taken, Mr Wadding Byrne’s judgement would have been impaired adding he was taking unnecessary risks while being near water.

Dr Nixon, the gardai and the jury offered their sympathises to the Wadding Byrne family.