Garda car 'careered into pensioner'
09/03/2006 - 18:11:18A garda vehicle careered out of control at speeds of up to 60mph before crashing into a pensioner who later died from her injuries, an inquest heard today.
Garda Niamh Seabury was responding to an emergency call on May 22, 2005 when she mounted the kerb on Clonskeagh Road, Clonskeagh, and smashed into a bus shelter where 74-year-old Mary Seavers was standing
Mrs Seavers, of Farmhill Park, Goatstown, Dublin, died three weeks later on June 15 in Beaumont hospital.
At the inquest into Mrs Seavers’ death at Dublin City Coroners Court it emerged the vehicle involved was making its way to the wrong address when the accident happened.
Confusion between despatch officers sent the vehicle to answer a 999 call in Beech Hill Avenue, Clonskeagh, instead of Beechwood Avenue in Ranelagh.
Two minutes later the collision was reported.
Speaking on behalf of the victim’s family Doreen Shivnen said: “There was some confusion in the information gardai were given.
“Sadly that confusion has given rise to this incident.
“It is ironic if the car was going to the right address in Beechwood Avenue it would not have found itself on Clonskeagh Road causing this fatality.”
Eye-witnesses described the vehicle as careering around the bend with its rear swerving out of control.
Edward Power of Wicklow believed the female garda had control of the vehicle on the bend and was only travelling at 50 to 60 kilometres per hour before the incident.
But Ms Shivnen told the hearing six other witnesses would be giving evidence that the vehicle was travelling between 50 to 60 miles per hour with its siren on and emergency lights flashing.
Lisa McElheron was a passenger in a vehicle which she said had to swerve to avoid being hit by the garda car.
The hearing will continue this afternoon.
Concerns raised over the condition of the vehicle and in particular queries over its tyre tread depth being 66% below the recommended level by Ford will be investigated by independent specialists when the hearing resumes in May.
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