A jury has returned a verdict of accidental death at the inquest into the death of a 14-year-old Lithuanian boy from hydrogen sulphide poisoning.
Justinas Gleiznys from Swanlinbar, Co Cavan, had been helping to remove compost from near a mushroom farm on 8 August last.
While he was in the back of a lorry he collapsed and was pronounced dead a short time later.
At the inquest today Dr Deborah Condell, who conducted a post mortem examination, said she found high levels of hydrogen sulphide in the boy’s body.
Her medical evidence was that the teenager had died of asphyxia due to hydrogen sulphide poisoning. She believed that the rotting compost was the source of the gas.
The jury returned a verdict of accidental death in accordance with medical evidence.
Coroner Dr Mary Flanagan expressed the hope that the Health and Safety Authority would highlight the issues raised in the inquest to prevent another tragedy.
Speaking afterwards, the boy’s mother, Rosa Grundiene, said the arrival of her son here in Ireland had been one of the happiest days of her life but that it had ended in tragedy.
