Mary Robinson guest speaker at national coroners conference in Mayo

THE Coroners Society of Ireland will host its annual conference in Mayo later this week.

Honorary guest speaker is former President Mary Robinson, chair of The Elders, who will deliver a talk on Protecting human rights and human life.

The two-day event, which concludes with the society's annual general meeting, is taking place in Mount Falcon Hotel, Ballina, on Friday and Saturday, October 4 and 5.

The event will be hosted by Mayo North Coroner Eleanor Fitzgerald, President of the Coroners Society of Ireland.

A range of speakers will present to coroners from across Ireland, opening with 'Digital media and mental health factors involved in social media addiction in the young in relation to coronial deaths', presented by Paula Pratt, clinical psychologist from the UK.

Dr. Lisa Cunningham, consultant in accident and emergency medicine at Mayo University Hospital and London HEMS, will discuss 'Avoidable deaths in fatal road traffic accidents - reducing the corners workload, a PHEM solution'.

A Coronial practice and law update from England and Wales 2024 will be delivered by James Healy Pratt, Deputy High Court Judge in London and Deputy Coroner, East Sussex.

Other presentations will examine removing stress and confusion from the inquisitorial process, as well as the roles and duties of the expert or independent witnesses.

Senior Coroner in Manchester City Area, Nigel Meadows, asks: 'Are we or will we ever be ready for the next mass fatality event? What I learned from dealing with the Manchester bombing.'

Following an update on the coroners reform report from the advisory committee, the event will conclude with the AGM of the society.