Open verdict on mayoman found dead on rail embankment

AN open verdict has been returned at an inquest into the death of a 56-year-old man whose body was found on the railway embankment at Kilbeg, Claremorris, on January 29 last.

The discovery of Thomas (Tom) O'Boyle's body was made by rail worker Brendan Hurst. Mr. O'Boyle, who was originally from Caltragh, Claremorris, lived at Cashel, Hollymount.

Evidence was given to an inquest conducted in Castlebar by the coroner for south Mayo, John O'Dwyer, that the night before he died the deceased had been drinking following a funeral.

One witness, Tom Fahey, Taugheen, said he had been drinking with the deceased in the Dalton and later in O'Briens, about ten pints in total.

The witness explained he left around midnight after asking Tommy O'Boyle to come with him but he refused. Tommy was in good form when he was leaving.

The cause of death was given to the inquest by consultant pathologist, Dr. Tamas Nemeth, who carried out a post mortem, as “hypothermia and aspiration of gastric contents.”

The blood alcohol level of the deceased at the time of his death was given at 158 mgs%.

The coroner said a verdict of accidental death would be inappropriate. He also remarked that it was “a mystery” as to how Mr. O'Boyle came to be on the embankment.

Mr. O'Dwyer expressed his sympathy with the family of the deceased on their loss as did Supt. Joe McKenna (on behalf of the gardai) and Mr. Ward McEllin, solicitor, who held a watching brief on behalf of Irish Rail.