A Dublin general practitioner had more than three times the le gal limit of alcohol in his system when his car went out of control and struck a skip, killing himself and his passenger, the Dublin City Coroner's Court has been told. Dr Michael Smith (49), Fortfield Drive, Terenure, and Ms Jacinta O'Sullivan (29), Larkfield Grove, Terenure, were pronounced dead at St Vincent's Hospital on September 28th last a short time after the accident at Kill Lane, Foxrock.
Post-mortem examinations showed that both died of severe head injuries. A Garda witness said it had been impossible to establish whether they had been wearing their seat belts.
A toxicology report on Dr Smith showed a blood alcohol concentration of 250 mgs of alcohol to 100 ml of blood. The legal limit for driving is 80 mg/100 ml.
Sgt Peter Foley, Kill O' The Grange Garda station, said it appeared the Mercedes car driven by Dr Smith had gone out of control, crossed the road and struck the skip which was parked on the grass margin on the opposite side of the road about 11.50 p.m. on December 27th.
He said the skip, which weighed 2.4 tonnes, was driven forward about 10 metres in the impact and a small tree was demolished. There was a light drizzle at the time of the accident and, while the road surface was wet, it was in good condition. No witnesses to the accident came forward despite a media appeal.
A vehicle inspection showed one right rear tyre on the car was excessively worn but the inspector, Garda Gerard Leen, said he could not give an estimate of the speed of the vehicle before the collision.
Ms Mary Ryan said when she ordered the skip, she specified it was to be placed on the grass margin and was not to protrude onto the road. These instructions were carried out.
The jury recorded verdicts of accidental deaths on both victims.