DEVELOPER’S INQUEST

RETIRED Cartron Bay developer Tommy Maguire died from blood clots on his lungs while recovering from a fall, Sligo Coroner’s Court has heard.

Sligo Coroner Eamon McGowan returned a verdict of accidental death in the case of the well-known builder at Sligo Courthouse yesterday (Monday).

The 73 year old of Cloyspara, Cliffoney, Sligo and formerly of Aughavanney, Kiltyclogher, Co. Leitrim, died on 12 th February 2017, two and a half months after falling three metres from a ladder in a house his son was building in Rosses Point on 26 th November 2016.

His son, also Thomas Maguire, gave a deposition in which he said he and his uncle Ben Maguire were out in Rosses Point at the house he was building for himself on Saturday 26 th November 2016.

His father joined them and all three were upstairs on the first floor around 4.15pm.

There was no stairs in the house and a ladder was used to get up and down to the first floor.

As they prepared to leave, Tommy descended the ladder first.

His son told the court he saw his father lose his footing or his grip and he fell down to the concrete floor, some 2.8/3metres below. “There was a lot of blood on the floor around his head. I have had occupational first aid training and I put dad into the recovery position,” he said.

The builder was unconscious at first but then stayed conscious for the majority of the time before the paramedics arrived.

He was taken to Sligo University Hospital suffering from three spinal fractures.

Mr Maguire’s brother Ben Maguire also gave evidence of witnessing his brother’s fall.

The deceased was later transferred to St John’s Hospital and it was while he was there that he suffered a heart attack at 11.21am on 12 th February 2017.

He was brought by ambulance to Sligo University Hospital but despite resuscitation attempts he did not recover and was pronounced dead a short time later at 12.15pm.

Dr Clive Kilgallen confirmed the deceased died from clots in both lungs.

He said they often formed “after an operation or if someone was laid up and was immobile” for a period of time.

His widow Pauline, son Thomas and brother Ben Maguire were present in court.

After giving his verdict of accidental death, Mr McGowan extended his sympathies to the Maguire family and said Mr Maguire’s death through such a “trauma” was “especially sad” given his occupation as a builder.