Sean McGrotty, Louise James with their children Mark, Evan and baby Rioghnach-Ann
A pre-evidential hearing held today into one of Ireland’s worst coastal tragedies in which five people from Derry drowned has heard the inquest will take two days and will hear from at least 12 witnesses.
Five members of the same family perished when an Audi Q7 4 X 4 vehicle in which they were traveling slipped off Buncrana Pier and into Lough Swilly in Co Donegal in March 2016.
An infant baby girl was saved when her father passed her out the window to local man Davitt Walsh who bravely tried to come to the family’s aid.
Those who lost their lives on a Sunday evening on March 20th, 2016 were Sean McGrotty, his sons Mark, 11 and eight-year-old Evan, his mother-in-law Ruth Daniels and her teenage daughter Jodie-Lee Tracey.
Four-month-old baby girl Rionaghac-Ann was saved by Mr Walsh.
The hearing was formally opened by Coroner for Donegal, Dr Denis McCauley.
He stressed at the outset of the 20 minute hearing the aim of the pre-evidential hearing which was held in the Inishowen Gateway Hotel in Buncrana.
Dr McCauley said the aim of the hearing was to promote an effective process and to prevent an adjournment in the inquest.
He said he intended to hold the inquest over two days on November 22nd and 23rd.
Among those present was Michael Staines, solicitor for Donegal County Council, Eoin Armstrong for the motor insurer as well as Inspector David Murphy for An Garda Siochana.
Members of the family of the late Sean McGrotty, who was driving the Audi Q? when it slipped into the water, were also present.
Dr McCauley revealed how there were 69 draft depositions taken following the tragedy from local people in the area at the time of the tragedy.
However, he estimated that he has whittled this down to 12 depositions which will be heard during the inquest.
He said “This was a terrible tragedy and having looked at a lot of the evidence, I think because of the scope of the inquest I would propose is that we have to look a the events of the night and what actually happened.
“We should always look and fully explore the facts of the case and I also propose that we look at piers and slipways of Donegal and get as much information as we can about that,” he said.
He said he had also contacted the Irish Water Safety Authority and the Raod Safety Authority of Ireland in relation to the inquest.
He said he would like to be able to discuss what people should do in relation to situation when their cars may enter water.
He had also contacted car manufacturer Audi but he had not heard back from them.
Solicitor for Donegal County Council, Michael Staines said a report into piers and slipways in Co Donegal was currently being undertaken and would be completed by the time the formal inquest takes place.
Mr Staines added “We will co-operate completely and thoroughly with the inquest.”
Coroner Dr McCauley added that he will swear a jury in to sit at the inquest.
The hearing was adjourned until September 27th for mention.
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