Coroner Makes 16 Recommendations Following Killarney Forestry Rally Inquest

Coroner Makes 16 Recommendations Following Killarney Forestry Rally Inquest

A coroner has made 16 recommendations following an inquest into the death of 22-year-old Eoin Liam McCarthy, late of Kildee, Dunmanway, Co. Cork.

The inquest was held without a jury over four days, from August 11 to 14, 2026, at the Coroners Court, Circuit Courthouse, Washington Street, Cork City.

The court heard that Mr. McCarthy was pronounced dead at Cork University Hospital, Wilton, Cork, on February 20, 2022. The medical cause of death was recorded as hypoxic ischaemic encephalopathy due to cardiac arrest following submersion in water in a suspended state.

City of Cork Coroner Philip Comyn returned a verdict of accidental death.

In delivering his findings, Mr. Comyn noted that the recommendations arise from a tragic accident that occurred in 2022, acknowledging that some measures may already have been implemented or are currently in the process of being implemented.

The 16 recommendations issued by the coroner are:

1. There should be a clear protocol or written guideline setting out the role and duties of all those involved in the organisation and running of a rally, whether it be a forest rally or a rally on tarmac. This includes both officials/volunteers from Motorsport Ireland and officials/volunteers from the club hosting the event.

2. The finalised Safety Statement should be furnished to all officials involved in the organisation and running of the rally. This can be done by email or hardcopy provided there is confirmed receipt by all persons to whom it has been sent.

3. The Safety Statement is to specifically record all rally stage locations where there is no mobile phone coverage and the steps taken to ameliorate the situation.

4. Safety Statement to record all locations of particular concern and all steps taken to lessen the risks identified at those locations.

5. Steward to receive Safety Statement and regulations at least seven days before rally.

6. Any changes made at the start or between loops to be properly recorded.

7. Notification of potential dangers or hazards notified to officials at the start or during the course of the rally to be properly recorded together with a note of the action taken.

8. The roles of all those in the control room to be clearly defined along with the chain of command and who can make what decisions.

9. In the case of a serious incident the role of all officials, whether Motorsport Ireland or the hosting club, to be clearly defined, in particular who is in overall control and who can make decisions to halt the rally.

10. In the event of a serious incident there needs to be a clear policy stating who is responsible for investigation of what happened at the actual scene.

11. In the event of a serious incident there needs to be a clear policy as to who takes over the investigation as to what happened after the initial or preliminary stage. The policy should make clear who receives this report and who is responsible for implementation of any recommendations arising from the investigation.

12. The role of various committees in Motorsport Ireland needs to be more clearly defined.

13. Motorsport Ireland to appoint their own Liaison Officer whose role should include liaising directly with the family in conjunction with the organising club’s own Liaison Officer, and generally advising clubs as to the role and functions of a Liaison Officer.

14. Motorsport Ireland to make all clubs aware of the financial, psychological and other supports available following a serious incident.

15. Training as to what to do in the event of a serious incident to be included as a requirement prior to the issue of any licence by Motorsport Ireland.

16. Landing sites for air ambulance to be agreed in advance with this service supplier and to be included in the Safety Statement.

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