THE British businessman who had taken out life assurance policies worth almost £6 million died accidentally by drowning, a jury has found. Most of the assurance was taken out shortly before his death in Dublin last year.
Businessman David Ivor Swaff (62) died after his car plunged into the Grand Canal. Last night a jury of five men and two women took almost 1 1/2 hours to return a verdict of accidental death.
Mr Swaffer's two sons, Eric (30) and Hugh (21), said they were delighted at the outcome of the two day hearing. They were comforted during the inquest by members of the family of the Clare murder victim, Imelda Riney, who are friendly with them.
A representative of the 18 assurance companies which sold policies to Mr Swaffer said, however, that he did not expect his clients to pay out the bulk of the money to the deceased's family.
Most of the policies were taken out in recent months, although one policy worth £500,000 was taken out by Mr Swaffer some 30 years ago.
The body of the stock dealer was taken from a rented Volvo in the Grand Canal on October 22nd, 1995. The father of two from Boedean Crescent in Brighton, East Sussex, was found in two metres of water at Suir Bridge, Kilmainham.
Mr John Saunders, a consultant working for the assurance companies which underwrote the policies, said that he was disappointed by the verdict.
"Due to the restrictions imposed by the Coroners Act certain facts could not be introduced into evidence in the case. Facts concerning Mr Swaffer's financial background and the various methods employed by him to obtain life assurance could not be put before the jury.
If the various claims were pursued there might be further proceedings elsewhere which would. take in a much wider scope of evidence, he said.
He added: "A determination by the coroner is not a matter which is binding or has any effect on the assessment or determination of any claim under the policies."
The court heard yesterday that Mr Swaffer had no previous history of mental or physical illness. Mr Eric Swaffer described as "ridiculous" suggestions that he would take his own life.
The court had earlier heard from a Dublin woman who had a 10-1 year relationship with the deceased and who is one of the beneficiaries of his will. She said that he had been due to visit her the night before he died, but had not turned up.