Inquest hears well-known Mayo GP died after sustaining injuries in road traffic collision

The inquest into the death of a Mayo GP has heard that a person is due before court next month charged with dangerous driving causing his death.

Dr Martin Finnerty (69) of The Demense, The Neale Road, Ballinrobe died on December 12, 2024 after he was struck by a vehicle while walking along Church Lane, Ballinrobe at approximately 6.30pm.

A native of Athenry, Dr Finnerty had lived in Ballinrobe for almost 40 years where he was a GP and well regarded in the south Mayo community.

The inquest into Dr Finnerty opened this morning in Ballina Courthouse before Dr Eleanor Fitzgerald, the Coroner for Mayo.

Detective Inspector Denis Harrington informed Dr Fitzgerald that an investigation file into the death was forwarded to the DPP and instructions were received to charge a person with dangerous driving causing death.

He said a person is due to appear before Castlebar District Court in November to be served with the book of evidence.

Detective Inspector Harrington also gave evidence that he personally knew Dr Finnerty and attended the scene of the road traffic collision and formally identified him.

The late Dr Martin Finnerty. Pic: rip.ie

Dr Fadel Bennani, Consultant Pathologist in Mayo University Hospital, explained that he performed the post mortem and found that Dr Finnerty sustained multiple injuries including fractured ribs, fracture to the right leg, a severed thoracic vertebra, and bleeding to the abdomen due to a lacerated liver. He added that Dr Finnerty did not sustain a head injury and blood analysis proved to be negative for alcohol. The cause of death he said was as a result of multiple injuries due to a road traffic collision and confirmed that death would have been immediate.

Following Dr Bennani's evidence, Detective Inspector Harrington requested the inquest to be adjourned until after the criminal proceedings are concluded.

He informed Dr Fitzgerald that following the service of the book of evidence the case will be sent forward to the next sitting of Castlebar Circuit Criminal Court in February.

Dr Fitzgerald granted the application and adjourned the inquest until the conclusion of criminal proceedings. She said she was a colleague of Dr Finnerty and they qualified as doctors together and said his death is a tragic loss to his family and the community.

Mr Pat O'Connor, solicitor for the Finnerty family, commented that his death has been a tragedy for his wife, Paula and their three children, Peter, Síoda and Sibéal and the entire Ballinrobe community.

He also thanked Detective Inspector Harrington and all the gardaí for their support and assistance.

READ MORE: ‘The whole town is numb’ - Mayo town ‘devastated’ after local doctor dies following road traffic collision