No warning at unsafe cliff, inquest told

A lack of warning signs at a dangerous cliff along the Atlantic View on Achill Island, Co Mayo, was highlighted at an inquest…

A lack of warning signs at a dangerous cliff along the Atlantic View on Achill Island, Co Mayo, was highlighted at an inquest yesterday into the death of a young Polish immigrant last Sunday.

The inquest at Castlebar into the death of Marcin Wilczek (28), an electrician from the Katowice area of Poland, was conducted by the coroner for south Mayo, John O'Dwyer.

Evidence was given that Mr Wilczek had been walking with two Polish colleagues, Aleksander Jabtonka and Bogusion Gabanski, on clifftops near Cloghmore, Achill, on Sunday afternoon when he slipped on boggy ground and wet grass and fell over a steep cliff.

The trio had earlier been sightseeing and taking pictures and were walking in single file back to their van when the accident happened.

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On questioning from Mr O'Dwyer at yesterday's inquest, Garda Brian Murphy agreed that the spot where the tragedy happened was very dangerous. People pulled their cars into the side of the road to enjoy the view but there were no signs to warn of the danger. He agreed that warning signs should be put in place and said it was the responsibility of Mayo County Council to provide them.

The coroner returned a verdict in accordance with the medical evidence that Mr Wilczek died from asphyxia due to drowning. His remains are to be brought back to Poland for burial.