A farmer died from head injuries when he fell more than 30ft after a tree branch he was sawing hit his ladder, an inquest heard yesterday. Mr Daniel McElligott (57), from Glenalema, Kilflynn, Co Kerry, fell and hit his head on a branch he had just cut from the tree.
Mr McElligott's son, Oliver, told Cork City Coroner's Court he had been working with his father on January 13th.
"He had almost cut through the branch and went to push it off, but it hit the ladder he was standing on. He was thrown forward off the ladder. He fell 30 to 35ft and hit his head on a piece of timber of the ground," he said.
Mr McElligott was taken to Tralee General Hospital and then transferred to Cork University Hospital, where he died on January 19th.
After hearing medical evidence, the acting Cork City Coroner, Mr Patrick Dorgan, returned a verdict that death was caused by brain injuries following extensive skull fractures.
Mr Dorgan sympathised with Mr McElligott's family on their tragic loss. Condolences were expressed by Insp John O'Brien on behalf of the Garda Siochana.