An inquest into the death of a four-year-old boy who was killed by a truck on a building site in Dublin nearly five years ago was adjourned today for the eighth time at the Dublin Coroner's Court.
Alex Cuthbert of Eamon Ceannt Tower, Ballymun, died on August 22 nd, 2001 when he was hit by the vehicle on a building site during a major reconstruction project.
Sargeant Tom Lillis of Santry Garda Station told the inquest there had been last minute problems with the jury for today's sitting.
One of the main contractors on the Ballymun project, PJ Carey Contractors, was fined €40,000 and was ordered to pay an estimated €12,000 in costs when it was prosecuted at the Dublin Circuit Criminal Court in relation to the incident in May last year.
The prosecution was taken by the Director of Public Prosecutions following an investigation by the Health and Safety Authority. The company pleaded guilty to a breach of safety legislation.
The child's mother, Joan Landy, told the coroner today the family was very frustrated that the case had been going on for five years.
"We have had no post-mortem results, that is a disgrace. The last four and a half years we have had nothing," she said.
Ms Landy said she wanted someone with medical knowledge to explain to how her son had died. She said she had to contact Temple Street Children's Hospital herself to find out if her son was dead upon arrival.
"Is there a possibility this could be adjourned today because at this point we can't take any more?" she asked Dublin City Coroner Dr Brian Farrell.
Ms Landy said she and Alex's father, Tony Cuthbert, had "psyched" themselves up to attend today and on other days since the boy's death. "You said you didn't want to put the family through any more pain and suffering," she said to the coroner.
Dr Farrell said the inquest had been adjourned on numerous occasions at the request of the Health and Safety Authority (HSA), which is responsible for investigating deaths in the workplace.
The coroner said he was engaging with the HSA to try to reduce the lengthy wait for inquests in relation to workplace deaths.
He apologised for the further delay in holding the inquest and adjourned it to May 3 rd.
"I don't want you to have to come again to the coroner's court without having this hearing,," Dr Farrell told the family.
Additional reporting: PA