Family of boy (10) killed by van lose appeal of DPP decision not to prosecute driver

Seán McCárthaigh

The family of a young Clare schoolboy who was fatally injured in a road traffic collision near his home last year have lost their appeal against the decision of the DPP that there should be no criminal prosecution in relation to his death.

Dylan Coady-Coleman (10) of Corrib Drive, Shannon, Co Clare, died at Children’s Health Ireland at Temple Street in Dublin on February 28th, 2024, from his injuries.

The young boy, who was a 4th class pupil from St Tola’s National School in Shannon, was transferred to the hospital in Dublin for specialist care after originally being treated at University Hospital Limerick, where he was brought after being struck by a van at Purcell Park, Shannon, Co Clare, three days earlier.

The fatal incident took place a short distance from the boy’s home at around 2pm.

A male in his 20s was arrested as part of the Garda investigation into the death of the schoolboy, but he was later released without charge.

A sitting of Dublin District Coroner’s Court on Wednesday heard that an appeal by Dylan’s parents, Garry Coleman and Laura Coady, against the DPP’s direction that no criminal prosecution was warranted in relation to the circumstances of their son’s death had been unsuccessful.

Detective Inspector Ken Hoare told coroner Aisling Gannon that the review sought by the deceased’s family had been considered but that “the DPP’s decision remains the same.”

Det Insp Hoare said the garda investigation file on the case was now being submitted to the coroner’s office.

Dylan’s parents, who attended the inquest via videolink, did not speak during the brief hearing.

However, the family’s solicitor, Caitriona Carmody, asked for an indication of when the full inquest might be heard and also applied to be furnished with copies of statements and forensic reports in relation to the fatal incident.

Ms Gannon replied that the inquest was unlikely to be held within the next six months as the coroner’s office was facing significant delays.

However, the coroner promised that she would give the case priority as it involved the death of a very young person.

Ms Gannon said the final determination of the DPP on the matter meant she could begin her fact-finding inquiry into the circumstances of Dylan’s death which would involve an investigation of the legal and medical matters arising in the case.

At a previous hearing of the inquest last December, the coroner confirmed that the results of a postmortem showed that Dylan had died as a result of catastrophic head injuries arising from a road traffic collision.

Mr Coleman also revealed that he and his partner had decided to donate their son’s organs for transplant after being informed by hospital staff that there was nothing more that could be done to save his life.

The death of the schoolboy was considered particularly tragic as Ms Coady gave birth to a baby boy in the Rotunda Hospital in Dublin on the day before her other son died.

The infant who was brought to Dylan’s bedside before he died was christened Shane Dylan, in honour of his late brother.

The couple have one other child – a daughter, Zoe.