A young boy died a week after being struck on the head by a golf ball while playing a game with friends, Dublin City Coroner's Court heard yesterday.
Declan Fennelly (13), of Oldtown, Stoneyford, Co Kilkenny, died at Beaumont Hospital on August 11th last. He had been transferred to Beaumont from St Luke's Hospital, Kilkenny, on August 5th, the day after he was injured. He had an operation on his skull, but did not regain consciousness. A pathologist, Dr Francesca Brett, said death was due to swelling of the brain secondary to cerebral haematoma and extradural haemorrhage following a fracture of the right temporal bone.
Mr Niall Kiely said he was playing golf at Mountain View Golf Club, Ballyhale, Co Kilkenny, on August 4th with his sister, Sandra, Declan Fennelly and David Walsh. On the fourth tee David Walsh hit his ball out of bounds, and while he was preparing to take a provisional stroke Declan Fennelly teed off from the junior tee.
David Walsh then hit his second ball, which went to the left with a low trajectory. He heard a crack and Declan Fennelly fell over. He went and spoke to him and Declan assured them he was fine. His sister brought some water for Declan and poured it on his head. They continued down the fairway, but a short time later they abandoned the game and returned to the clubhouse and telephoned Declan's mother.
Sandra Kiely said she heard the crack after David Walsh drove off. Declan Fennelly fell slowly to the ground and when she got to him there was a swelling on the right side of his head. She poured some water on it and he got up. David Walsh said when he took his shot Declan Fennelly was to the front and left of him. "The ball came off the heel of the club. I thought I had hit him on the shoulder. He responded to the questions I asked him," he said.
Replying to the Dublin City Coroner, Dr Brian Farrell, Sgt Michael O'Sullivan, Thomastown, said the etiquette on a golf course was for player to stand behind the person taking a stroke. Declan Fennelly was in a slightly forward position, six to 10 yards ahead of the person taking the stroke.
Mr Liam Fennelly, father of the dead youth, expressed concern that X-rays taken in St Luke's Hospital, Kilkenny, had not indicated the bone damage found by the pathologist. The coroner told him he should contact the hospital and health board about the records. Dr Farrell said the tragic circumstances of the case contained a lesson for all golfers. He returned a verdict of accidental death.
Sympathising with Mr and Mrs Fennelly and their other child, Dr Farrell commended them for their courage and public spirit in donating Declan's organs for transplant.