Mayo coroner expects up to 35 witnesses to give evidence in hospital inquest

UP to 35 witnesses are expected to give evidence to the inquest of a Lahardane man who went missing from Mayo University Hospital and was found drowned in a river.

Patrick Rowland of Lahardane left his hospital bed in Mayo University Hospital in Castlebar on January 17, 2023 and was found dead two days later in a river near Turlough. The medical cause of his death is due to asphyxia due to drowning.

At a preliminary hearing into the inquest of Mr Rowland, the Coroner for the Mayo district, Patrick O'Connor explained that there will be potentially 35 witnesses to give evidence.

The first witness is due to give evidence this morning (Tuesday) in Swinford Courthouse with the inquest expected not to conclude before Thursday evening.

A large number of Mr Rowland's family were present for the hearing and Mr O'Connor said that due to the large number of potential witnesses and the limited number of seating in the courthouse, he will not be in a position to facilitate everyone other than witnesses.

CCTV footage

Mr O'Connor also informed the two parties that CCTV footage from the hospital and outside the hospital has been provided by the gardaí but he will not be showing it during the inquest unless it is essential to do so.

He explained that the CCTV is there for the family's representative to view and that he has seen the CCTV and visited the locus where Mr Rowland was last seen.

Mr Rowland (69) was a patient in Mayo University Hospital where he was being treated for pneumonia when he left the hospital in the early hours of January 17, 2023. Mr Roger Murray, senior counsel for the Rowland family, had told a previous hearing that the family had expressed significant concerns at how he was allowed to leave the hospital.

Members of Mr Rowland's family including his son Cormac and his wife Marcella are both due to give evidence at the inquest which is to start at 10am this morning in Swinford Courthouse.