A verdict of misadventure has been returned at the inquest into the death of a cyclist who died as a result of multiple head injuries in Sligo almost two years ago.
Maurice Rice, 52, was cycling inbound to Sligo town on the night of 13 December 2023 when his bicycle collided with an obstacle in a cycle lane, placed there to warn of malfunctioning traffic lights.
On the morning of 13 December 2023, Sligo County Council received notifications that traffic lights were out of order at the junction of Pearse Road and Circular Road.
Council workers carried out a dynamic risk assessment and placed warning signs at the four roads approaching the junction. They informed the public via social media.
Mr Paul O'Rourke, Senior Engineer with Sligo County Council, who expressed his condolences with Mr Rice's family, said the sign was in adherence with the Department of Transport Traffic Signs Manual and that the council workers were trained adequately.
The inquest heard that a warning sign anchored by a black sandbag was placed in a single cycle lane inbound on Pearse Road – the carriageway was 121cm in width and the sign 85cm in diameter, when erected.
The inquest heard that Mr Rice’s bicycle either; collided with the sign or that the sign was already knocked and a collision occurred with the black sandbag.
Mr Rice was travelling at approximately 21km/h, an average speed for cyclists in urban areas.
The inquest heard that Mr Rice was not wearing a helmet at the time, he had 84mg of alcohol in his system and his bicycle did not have lights.
He suffered significant head injuries and went into cardiac arrest. Members of the public, gardaí and emergency services tried to help him, conducting CPR.
During the inquest, gardaí and those who were at the scene of the tragic accident spoke of the situation it and provided detailed evidence of the tragedy that happened.
A member of the public who is a member of the Order of Malta stopped and took a clinical lead at the scene until emergency services arrived.
He administered CPR until a garda who was also trained in CPR arrived, and he then continued to administer CPR until an ambulance arrived.
George Williams of the National Ambulance Service told the inquest that Mr Rice was placed on a spinal board and brought to Sligo University Hospital.
Mr Rice was pronounced dead at 12.29am on Thursday 14 December 2023.
Following today’s inquest, Mr Rice’s partner Olga Higgins thanked all those who came to her partner’s assistance following the incident.
"I’d just like to thank everybody who came to Maurice’s help in his dying moments – those last moments on Pearse Road.
"I can’t imagine what they went through, seeing what they did and looking after him. I want to extend thanks from myself and my family," she said.
Sligo Coroner Fergal Kelly recorded a verdict of death by misadventure. Mr Kelly made two recommendations following the inquest.
He recommended that Sligo County Council review the colour of sandbags used in the anchoring of warning signs on public roads and that the RSA reiterate the rules of the road for cyclists in a public campaign.
Martin Rice, brother of Maurice Rice said that his family were satisfied with the inquest.
"It’s been almost two years. It’s been difficult for our family and everyone who knew of Maurice.
"We’re satisfied with how today went. It’s a relief to have some kind of clarity. Hopefully, this will bring some closure on this stage of the journey, and we can begin the process of moving on," he said.
Senior Counsel for Mr Rice’s family Damien Tansey questioned whether the warning signs could have been placed on an alternative location, in a hatched area nearby.
"The desired width for a single cycle lane is 1.5m. This cycle lane was 1.21m in width and the warning sign deployed was itself 0.85m in width.
"The technical witness agreed that the sign was almost a full obstacle… The sandbag itself was black, placed on a black surface and difficult to notice," he said.
Mr Tansey said the non-functioning of traffic lights is a hazard and that it is important that "the mechanism employed to warn road users of that hazard, is not itself, hazardous".
Counsel for Sligo County Council Keith O’Grady agreed with the recommended death by misadventure.
Mr O’Grady accepted that the sign was an obstacle.
However, he said it is accepted that Sligo County Council complied with the Department of Transport Traffic Manual.
Mr O’Grady said this was not a one size that fits all scenario, and he added that no council worker went out of their way to harm any road user, in what was a tragedy.
Coroner Fergal Kelly, Sergeant Derek Butler on behalf of An Garda Síochána and counsel Keith O’Grady on behalf of the council all extended their sincere sympathies to the loved ones of Maurice Rice.
The bereaved family thanked all those who expressed their condolences.
