Further adjournment at inquest of Achill woman

Further adjournment at inquest of Achill woman


Anton McNulty

The inquest of Achill woman, Ashling Gallagher who died in a traffic accident in 2004 was adjourned until March to allow for witnesses and reports to be made available.
The inquest of Ashling Gallagher from Askill on Achill Island, who was 22-years old when she died on December 22, 2004, was due to open yesterday (Monday) in Castlebar Courthouse but never got underway.
The first delay occurred when two of the six jurors agreed to step down from their role because of a conflict of interest and their was a delay in securing replacement jurors. There was also lengthy legal argument involving legal representatives of the Gallagher family, Mayo County Council and the NRA regarding what information should be made admissible to the jury.
At the request of the Gallagher family, the coroner for south Mayo, Mr John O’Dwyer agreed to further adjourn the inquest until March 7 to consider the availability of certain documents and witnesses.
Ashling Gallagher died when the van she was driving was involved with a collision with a cement mixer lorry on the N59 Mulranny to Newport road. The hearing of her inquest had been adjourned on numerous occasions in the intervening years for various reasons but was due to be heard yesterday.
A number of witnesses were due to give evidence including expert witnesses who travelled from the UK.