A Co Donegal schoolboy was fatally injured when portable metal goalposts fell on him during a kick-about with friends, Dublin City Coroner's Court heard yesterday.
Eamonn McBride (13), of Loughanure, Anagry, Co Donegal, died at Beaumont Hospital on May 20th last. A post-mortem examination showed he died of severe head injuries. He had been struck twice by the falling goalposts in the grounds of Falcarragh Community School on 18th May.
James Sheridan told the inquest into the schoolboy's death that he and four others including Eamonn McBride were taking penalty kicks on the afternoon of May 18th. Eamonn jumped up and grabbed the crossbar and swung on it.
"It fell over and hit him on the head. It bounced off the ground and hit him again on the side of the head," he said.
The school principal, Mr Patrick McVicar, said he was informed of the accident about 3.25 p.m. and immediately went to the scene. The portable goal was made of tubular steel and was constructed in the school workshop in 1993.
Mr McVicar expressed sympathy with the boy's family on behalf of all the school staff and students.
Returning a verdict of accidental death, the Dublin City Coroner, Dr Brian Farrell, said he would bring the case to the attention of the relevant authorities in the public interest.