Faulty steering may have caused death of kart racer

A faulty steering mechanism may have caused the death of a racing kart driver at Mondello Park last year, the Dublin City Coroner's has heard.

Mr John Hanrahan (25), Garryard, Ballinasloe, Co Galway, died from head injuries after his 125 cc kart failed to take a bend during a practice run and hit a barrier at the Co Kildare track.

A garda who examined the vehicle afterwards said that a "control rod" joining the steering column to the right front wheel had come loose from its joint, apparently due to insufficient thread.

"He [ Mr Hanrahan] ended up with no steering, basically," added Sgt Donal Prendergast, a public service vehicle inspector based in Naas Garda station.

His evidence was supported by a number of witnesses including another kart driver, Mr Jamie Connery, who said Mr Hanrahan's car went straight on at a left turn, before mounting a kerb, becoming airborne and hitting the barrier.

Although the fastest karts are capable of speeds of up to 100 m.p.h, they have no seat-belts. The court heard that this was in the interests of safety as, in impacts, drivers were usually thrown clear of the vehicle.

Mr Connery said putting seat belts in a kart would be like putting them "on a motor-bike - impossible, in other words".

The driver's father, Mr Patrick Hanrahan, questioned whether the kerbs alongside the track were suitable for karts.

The managing director of Mondello, Mr John Morris, said the track was inspected annually by the safety committees of all participating sports, karting included, and it had been deemed fit. No karting has taken place at the track since then, he added.

Recording a verdict of accidental death, the Dublin City Coroner, Mr Brian Farrell, promised he would write to the concerned authorities without prejudice, conveying the family's concerns about the accident.

He said the Italian makers of the kart - known as a Swiss Hutless Rotax Max - should also be notified.