‘A litany of actions made this the most tragic thing,’ inquest finds

Motorcyclist Alan Devenney died as a result of injuries sustained in a tragic road traffic accident, an inquest into his death has found. 

The inquest took place in Letterkenny Courthouse on Friday, August 9, and was presided over by coroner for County Donegal, Dr Denis McCauley.

Mr Devenney, 48, of Dooish, Newtowncunningham, was pronounced dead in Letterkenny University Hospital at 5.20pm on Sunday, July 25, 2021. The collision had taken place at approximately 4.55pm  in Drumnahoagh, Letterkenny, around half way along the stretch of four-lane road between the Dry Arch Roundabout and the Polestar Roundabout. 

A deposition from a witness who was travelling towards Letterkenny in the right hand lane was read into evidence by Sergeant Dermot Fearon.

He described seeing a black Toyota Hilux slow down and brake as a result of a build up of traffic. There was a motorbike travelling behind the Toyota.

“I wouldn’t describe it as being a hard brake,” the witness said. “But the motorcyclist was struggling to stop. He reacted a little late.”

The witness described seeing the motorcyclist collide with the Toyota and fall from the motorbike, in the direction of the left-hand lane of traffic.

A tractor which was towing a trailer was coming along in the left hand lane, and the motorcyclist fell into the path of its wheels and was run over. The witness said that he stopped, and by the time he got out, the driver of the tractor was on the phone to the ambulance.

A deposition by the driver of the Toyota  was then read into evidence. He recalled braking slightly as he approached a build up of traffic. He then felt a slight bang.

“I looked in the mirror and saw a motorbike lying on the road,” he said. “I knew something had happened.”

The driver went back to see what had happened, and if there was anything he could do. 

He said that someone was checking for a pulse, and an ambulance had been called. It arrived a short time later, as did gardaí. 

The drivers of the tractor and the Toyota were breathalysed, as was the witness travelling behind the motorbike. None of the three was found to be over the limit. 

Sergeant Kevin Giles of Letterkenny Garda Station gave evidence of attending the scene.

“The motorcyclist had already been placed in the ambulance and he was removed to Letterkenny University Hospital,” said Sergeant Giles. 

A short time later, the sergeant received a phone call from the hospital to say that the motorcyclist had been pronounced dead at 5.20pm. 

A deposition by Lexi Devenney, father of the deceased, was read into evidence. 

“I will never forget July 21st, 2021 when I was told of my son’s death,” he said. 

He recalled attending the mortuary and identifying his son. 

Pathologist Dr Katrina Dillon told the inquest that her colleague Dr Gerry O’Dowd had performed a post mortem examination.

After giving detailed evidence to the inquest, Dr Dillon concluded: “The cause of death was multiple injuries consistent with a road traffic collision.”

Sergeant Aidan Mulvihill carried out a detailed inspection of all of the vehicles involved in the collision. All were found to be of serviceable condition and within regulations.

Collision scene investigator Inspector Damien Hunt gave evidence of inspecting the scene. 

“I am satisfied that it was dry and bright at the time of the collision,” he said.

“The road surface was also dry.”

Inspector Hunt said that although there were roadworks going on at the time, and a mix of old and new road markings, the skid mark was entirely on tarmac and not on paint. 

His findings were in keeping with witness accounts that Mr Devenney braked, collided with the vehicle in front of him, and fallen into the path of the tractor. 

Dr McCauley said he hoped that the evidence heard at the inquest had helped everybody to understand the circumstances of Mr Devenney’s death.

He recorded a finding of death by accident. 

“The traffic was slowing and Alan realised it later than would have been liked, and he was braking to stop him hitting a car,” said the coroner. “He didn’t succeed.”

“It wasn’t the worst knock in the world but unfortunately he fell into the path of the tractor.”

Dr McCauley offered his condolences to everyone involved in the tragedy.

“It was a tragic accident resulting in the loss of a son, a Dad, a husband,” he said. “It was such a really unfortunate thing, a litany of actions that made this the most tragic thing that a family could imagine.”

Sergeant Fearon added his condolences on behalf of An Garda Síochana.