An inquest held at Letterkenny Courthouse has confirmed that Patrick Doran, a 49-year-old diver from Finisklin, Carrick-on-Shannon, died from a heart attack during a dive off the Donegal coast, not from a diving-related incident or equipment fault.
The inquest, overseen by Donegal coroner Dr Denis McCauley, examined evidence surrounding Doran’s death during a two-day event organised by the Donegal Bay Sub Aqua Club in June 2024. The hearing established that emergency services were called to Teelin Pier on 22 June 2024 after Doran was found unresponsive in the water. Despite extensive CPR efforts, he was pronounced dead at 1:19 p.m. by Dr Gerry Murray, who attended the scene.
Medical Findings Point to Natural Causes
During the hearing, pathologist Dr Gerry O’Dowd read the post-mortem report prepared by Dr Paul Hartel of Sligo University Hospital. The report found no external injuries but revealed advanced coronary artery disease, described as unusually severe for Doran’s age. The cause of death was confirmed as acute myocardial infarction, a sudden heart attack, according to The Irish Times.
Coroner Dr McCauley stated that the dive itself did not cause the fatal incident, ruling that Doran’s death was the result of natural causes.
Equipment and Scene Examination
Evidence from Garda Sergeant Mark Colgan and dive equipment specialist David James Gratton showed that Doran’s gear was carefully inspected by the Garda Sub Aqua Unit. The examination found no mechanical defects or safety failures that could have contributed to the death, a conclusion supported by Donegal Live’s coverage of the inquest.
The court also heard that another diver at the same site was treated for suspected decompression sickness, but this was unrelated to Doran’s collapse.
A String of Tragic Incidents
Dr McCauley noted that Doran’s death was one of three fatal diving incidents to occur off the Donegal coast within a six-week period, a fact that has deeply affected Ireland’s close-knit diving community.
The Donegal Bay Sub Aqua Club, one of the longest-established diving groups in the region, expressed condolences to Doran’s family and described him as a passionate and experienced diver who loved exploring the local coastline.
A Reminder for Divers
While the inquest ruled out diving factors, the case serves as a solemn reminder of the importance of regular medical checks for divers, especially those with underlying health conditions or returning to diving after long breaks.
For Ireland’s diving community, the findings bring some closure, affirming that Doran’s tragic death was a natural event, not a preventable equipment or procedural failure.
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