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A DRUNK mum drowned after going for a swim to cool off during the summer heatwave.
Audrey Kiernan was three times over the drink-drive limit when she waded into Swanswell Pool in Hillfields in the early hours of June 19.
An inquest yesterday heard from a witness who saw Miss Kiernan swimming for around 10 minutes before she “suddenly went under the water”.
Sadly the 42-year-old, of no fixed address, could not be saved and she was pronounced dead at the scene at 1.10am.
Six members of Miss Kiernan’s family travelled from her native Ireland to Coventry for the hearing.
Among them was her niece, Claire, who said her aunt was one of 11 children born and raised in Dublin, before moving to Coventry 17 years ago.
Claire told the inquest: “When she was in Ireland she had some troubles she couldn’t deal with so came here for a fresh start. She loved it here.”
Miss Kiernan, who the inquest heard had long-term alcohol problems, has three daughters – two in Ireland and one in Coventry – aged 21, 19 and 14.
Claire said Miss Kiernan “really loved” her daughters and was a “real mammy” to them.
A medical report following a post mortem examination on Miss Kiernan’s body showed that the cause of death was drowning.
Toxicology reports also showed a “significant amount” of alcohol in Miss Kiernan’s blood – more than three times the legal drink-drive limit.
Statements from two witnesses who were at Swanswell Park that night were also read out.
One man said he saw Miss Kiernan swimming in Swanswell Pool and that she “seemed OK”, before she “just stopped swimming - I couldn’t remember what happened after that, but I spoke to police to explain what happened”.
Another witness said he spoke with Miss Kiernan at the park before she said “she was going for a swim as she was hot”.
She then took her top and jeans off and got into the water.
The witness asked if she could swim and Audrey replied: “Yes, I’m Irish. I can swim.” The witness said Miss Kiernan was swimming for between five and ten minutes before she suddenly went under the water.
Assistant coroner Angela Woolnough concluded that Miss Kiernan died due to an accident and that the cause of death was drowning.
She added: “Audrey Kiernan was 42, born and brought up in Dublin, and came from a large family. Audrey had a long history of alcohol dependency which took its toll on her health and personal life.
“She had three daughters who were a great source of happiness to her.”