Hit and run inquest hears of DNA evidence

The jury in an inquest into the death of a married father of two has returned a verdict of death after a hit-and-run.

The victim, Mr Anthony Fleming (48), died at the Mater Hospital, Dublin, on December 8th, 2002, some three weeks after he was struck by a motorcycle in Prussia Street.

The driver of the motorcycle fled the scene and has not been identified by gardaí, despite the fact that the bike was recovered at a house in Blanchardstown.

The Dublin City Coroner, Dr Brian Farrell, was told by a garda witness that a sample of DNA taken from a man interviewed during the course of the investigation matched a sample taken from a helmet gardaí believe was worn by the rider of the motorcycle. However, when gardaí submitted a file to the DPP no charges were recommended.

Mr Fleming, of Montpelier Park, Dublin, was standing in the middle of Prussia Street, near Hanlon's Corner, in the early hours of November 16th when he was struck by the motorcyclist.

The inquest heard evidence from an eyewitness, Mr Stephen Connick, that the motorcyclist approached Mr Fleming at around 40 m.p.h. and hit him as he stood in the road.

Mr Connick said Mr Fleming was about 10 feet from the kerb and appeared to be waving to somebody. Mr Fleming was flung to the ground immediately when hit, and the motorcycle and driver skidded on the road.

A passing taxi-driver, Mr David O'Brien helped the driver of the bike to move it out of the middle of the road. The driver then attempted to start the motorbike "three or four times". While Mr O'Brien believed the man was "just checking to see if the bike was still working", when it started the motorcyclist drove off.