Tributes paid to Mayo pathologist ahead of his retirement
Coroner for Mayo, Dr Eleanor Fitzgerald leads tributes to Dr Fadel Bennani who is to step down as consultant pathologist in MUH
A Mayo pathologist said he is looking forward to meeting people involved in inquests in more social circumstances when he steps down from his role after over 20 years.
Tributes were paid to a Dr Fadel Bennani, a consultant pathologist based in Mayo University Hospital who is due to retire after over 20 years in the role. As part of his role as a pathologist, Dr Bennani has to perform post mortems on people who died in unusual circumstances and often has to attend inquests to provide his evidence on the causes of death.
Coroner for Mayo, Dr Eleanor Fitzgerald led the tributes to Dr Bennani who was attending one of his final inquests this morning in Ballina courthouse.
Dr Fitzgerald thanked Dr Bennani for his presence at inquests and for the manner in which he was able to explain difficult circumstances to grieving families.
“I want to pay tribute to him for being so good and helpful in attending inquests and to explain and give evidence of post mortems he has carried out here for over 22 years. It has been of immense benefit to me as a coroner but also to people who come because it is not nice to hear what goes on in a post mortem. Dr Bennani always explains it in a very gentle and understandable manner. We are not going to see the last of him yet but Dr Bennani we want to outline our thanks to you,” she said.
Her comments were echoed by Sergeant Noel Crinnegan, the court presenter, who joked that unfortunately for Dr Bennani he is known to every guard in Mayo but was grateful for the work he has done.
“For the 20 odd years I have known him he has been brilliant to deal with and is always helpful and always tries to explain everything. He is so easy to get on with and always looks well and punctual and very much appreciated by all the guards who deal with him. We wish him every success,” he said.
Thanking them for their kind words Dr Bennani said that there was also a good working relationship between himself, the Gardaí and the various coroners.
“I want to thank everyone in the coroner's office and the previous coroners. We have dealt with some difficult cases and I would like An Garda Siochana for all their help and for our mutual working relationship,” he said.
Dr Bennani also thanked members of the media who cover inquests saying they play a very big role by getting messages across to the public especially around the dangers of alcohol and drink driving.
Members of Dr Bennani's family were present for the inquests and he stated that he will continue to live in Mayo saying it was now their home and looked forward to meeting everyone in more social circumstances.