Inquest hears young Limerick man's injuries were 'incompatible with life'

THE INQUEST into the death of a man who died in a road traffic collision in the early hours of the morning on his wedding day, heard that his injuries from the collision were incompatible with life.

Myles Harty who lived in Askeaton was due to marry his fianceé on August 21, 2021.

Family of Mr Harty were in Kilmallock Courthouse at the Limerick Coroner’s Court, along with his fianceé.

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Presenting the inquest on behalf of the gardaí, Sergeant David Delahunty called on Sergeant Patricia Ryan of Roxboro Road garda station to give her statement to the coroner.

She told the inquest that she was on duty on August 21, 2021 when she got a call to attend the scene of a collision on the Rathkeale road outside Askeaton.

Sgt Ryan told the coroner that Mr Harty was unconscious, trapped in the car, was not breathing and that his injuries were “incompatible with life.”

She added that the driver lost control of the car, it was airborne, rolled a number of times and then came to a stop on its roof.

Sgt Ryan told the coroner that the exact speed the car was travelling at could not be determined by garda forensic investigators.

The driver, Shane Harty, a cousin of Myles Harty, who was also to be his best man at his upcoming wedding, was arrested at the scene.

In November 2024, he was convicted of careless driving causing death and given an 18-month fully suspended sentence and banned from driving for five years, at Limerick Circuit Court.

The inquest heard that a Public Service Vehicle (PSV) report was done and no faults were found with the vehicle.

Coroner John McNamara expressed his sincere condolences to the family and friends of Myles Harty.

“I’m aware of how tragic and sudden his passing was, particularly in the context of an upcoming very special family occasion, it was very unfortunate that Myles died from the injuries he sustained in the collision.”

Mr McNamara recorded a narrative verdict in line with the findings of the circuit court, in that Myles Harty died as a result of injuries from a road traffic collision.

Sergeant David Delahunty also offered the family and friends of Mr Harty his sincere condolences on behalf of An Garda Síochána.

May he rest in peace.