Gardaí confident of bringing charges on Temple Bar death

By Louise Roseingrave

GARDAÍ have collected 180 statements in relation to the death of a 27-year-old who was assaulted in Dublin’s Temple Bar.

Gareth O’Connor (27), of Lindisfarne Grove, Clondalkin, died at St James’s Hospital in Dublin on September 11, 2015.

Gardaí have carried out extensive investigations related to his death and believe they will have sufficient evidence to bring charges, Dublin Coroner’s Court heard. Seven people have been arrested in relation to the case to date. Gardaí are seeking to identify one final individual whom they believe can assist the investigation.

Mr O’Connor, a father of three, died due to bleeding on the brain. He was the youngest of nine siblings, some of whom attended the brief inquest hearing at Dublin Coroner’s Court.

He was assaulted during the course of a violent disorder incident at Cow’s Lane, Temple Bar.

Inspector John Rice, of Kevin Street Garda Station, applied for a six-month adjournment of the inquest, which first opened on November 17 2015.

“We hope to submit a file to the Director of Public Prosecutions in the next two months,” Insp Rice said.

A post-mortem report prepared by State Pathologist Dr Marie Cassidy found he had a toxic level of cocaine in his system at the time of his death.

Mr O’Connor suffered subarachnoid and intra-cranial hemorrhage, the inquest heard previously. The post-mortem report contains information on the circumstances of Mr O’Connor’s death, but this detail was not read out in court. The coroner reserved recording the official cause of death until a later date.

Coroner Dr Myra Cullinane adjourned the inquest for further mention until April 4, 2017.