Undertakers risk being sued over road safety risks

UNDERTAKERS have been warned by a coroner they face potential litigation unless they take steps to reduce road safety risks at funerals.

Signage – as well as flashing lights – are necessary to indicate a funeral is taking place, according to the coroner for south Mayo, John O’Dwyer.

Mr. O’Dwyer has written to all undertakers within his jurisdiction outlining his concerns and has spoken to Superintendent Joe McKenna, head of the Castlebar Garda District, about the issue.

When contacted by The Connaught Telegraph, Supt. McKenna echoed the coroner’s concerns and stressed the importance of flashing lights being provided to alert drivers where funerals are taking place.

The coroner’s concerns were sparked by an inquest he conducted last year into the death of Mary Mulhern, a nurse, on the N5 at Bohola.

Ms. Mulhern was struck by a passing car after she left a village wake to visit her elderly mother who lives nearby.

At the subsequent inquest, it emerged there was no signage on the road to indicate a funeral was taking place. Mr. O’Dwyer said lack of such safety measures was ‘a recipe for disaster’.

Following on from his remarks at the inquest hearing, the coroner has now issued his stern warning to undertakers about the potential for litigation.

Special lighting for funerals can easily be obtained ‘as a lot of electrical contractors have lighting units which provide lighting quickly and easily’.

In his letter, Mr. O’Dwyer also advised undertakers of the need for relevant public liability insurance.

The coroner pointed out the fact that road safety officer for Mayo, Noel Gibbons, has supplied all funeral directors in the county with packs of high-vis jackets is a clear indication of the risks involved.