A Welsh rugby fan who drank 25 pints on the journey to Ireland fell over at Dun Laoghaire pier and struck his head off the ground, Dublin City Coroner's Court heard yesterday.
Mr David Watters (56), from Abertwidwr, Caerphilly, Mid-Glamorgan, died at Beaumont Hospital on March 23rd, five days after the incident. A post-mortem found he died from a severe head injury.
Mr Idris John Griffiths said he was with 32 members of Leigh Social Club who travelled to Dublin. Outside the ferry terminal, Mr Watters fell over and struck his head. He had some drink taken but was in control of his faculties.
Harbour constable Mr John O'Connor said he saw Mr Watters falling outside the terminal building.
Dr Brian McManus said on admission to St Michael's Hospital, Dun Laoghaire, Mr Watters was very drunk and incoherent. He would not co-operate in an examination and was put in a ward for observation. He was called to assess Mr Watters again about midnight after he fell out of bed. At that time he was more coherent.
The next morning, Mr Watters's condition deteriorated and he was transferred to Beaumont Hospital. He died on March 23rd.
The jury recorded a verdict of accidental death.