The inquest into the death of Joe Deacy, who died at Beaumont Hospital in Dublin on August 13, 2017, has been further adjourned following an application by gardaí. Mr Deacy, who was 21 years old and from St Alban’s in Hertfordshire, had sustained serious injuries and was initially treated at Mayo University Hospital in Castlebar. He was found lying on the ground outside a house in Swinford, Co Mayo at 6.30am on August 12, 2017, by a passing cyclist. Following a post-mortem examination, a murder investigation was launched as it was discovered that Mr Deacy had suffered a blunt force trauma to the head.
Inspector Naomi de Rís informed Coroner Cróna Gallagher that the investigation into Mr Deacy’s death was ongoing and that “many lines of inquiry are ongoing”. She also confirmed that the senior investigating garda had travelled to the UK to meet Mr Deacy’s family and that they had been briefed on progress in the case. At a previous hearing in November, it was revealed that several witnesses who were living outside Ireland still needed to be interviewed by gardaí.
Dr Gallagher granted an application for a further adjournment of the inquest under Section 25.1 of the Coroners Act, on the basis that criminal proceedings in relation to Mr Deacy’s death are being considered. The case has been adjourned for mention until November 16, but gardaí have been asked to return before the court if there are any developments in the case before then.
Mr Deacy, who had applied for an Irish passport shortly before his death, considered himself to be from Mayo, the home county of his paternal grandparents. He was a regular visitor to the west of Ireland, where he stayed with relatives. On the evening before he was assaulted, he had been socialising in Kiltimagh, Co Mayo, before being dropped off with his friend at the house in Swinford where he was later found. He had sent a video via social media to his second cousin, Michelle Deacy, with whom he had been staying, at around 3.45am. However, what happened over the next few hours remains unclear.
Adrian Deacy, Mr Deacy’s father, has issued a number of public appeals for people with information about his son’s death to pass on details to gardaí. The investigation into Mr Deacy’s death remains ongoing and gardaí are urging anyone with information to come forward.
