An inquest into the death of a man who was escorted from a Co Dublin pub by security staff during a pre-Christmas night out was adjourned yesterday following questions by the family regarding his cause of death.
Gerard Parker (26), Baldoyle, Dublin, originally from Monaneigue, Knockraha, Co Cork, was escorted from the Harp Bar in Swords shortly after 1am on December 17th last after he fell asleep over the course of a night out with work colleagues.
Deputy coroner Maria Colbert granted an adjournment at Dublin City Coroner's Court yesterday, following a request by the Parker family to be allowed to question pathologist Dr Francesca Brett in person as to her findings, as well as to call other crucial witnesses.
"The family have a lot of questions, since no one saw Mr Parker fall," counsel for the family, Stephen O'Donoghue, told the court.
On the night in question the Mr Parker was in good form, according to three work colleagues, Graham Doyle, Mark Sheehan and Dave Byrne.
Mr Parker consumed approximately "eight pints or more" and two shots over the duration of the night, the court heard.
When he left the premises at a about 1am, Mr Doyle said "he [Mr Parker] was drunk, but he wasn't falling over". Mr Byrne said he left the premises some time between 2.40am and 3am and found Mr Parker sitting against railings at the side of the premises.
"He appeared very drunk," said Mr Byrne, but he did not notice injuries. Mr Byrne made several attempts to cajole Mr Parker to take a taxi home, but he refused.
Security officer John Burke, who was working at the Carnegie Court Hotel, said he asked Mr Parker if wanted an ambulance or a taxi and he said he didn't. He said he checked on Mr Parker a couple of times over the night, but he refused all his offers to get him transport home.