Former Donegal football star Martin Griffin died of drowning, inquest finds

An inquest into the death of former Donegal footballer Martin Griffin returned a finding of accidental death as a result of drowning.

Presided over by Coroner Dr Denis McCauley, the inquest into the death of Mr Griffin, 67, of 9 Silverwood Road, Ballybofey, took place in Donegal Town Courthouse on Wednesday. It found that Mr Griffin was found deceased at the pier in Donegal Town around noon on November 6, 2021. 

Internal injuries and external abrasions suggested that he had fallen into the water, or hit something hard upon falling. This would have affected his ability to save himself.

A deposition by a friend Pat McCrea who was not present was read into court. He had been celebrating his 61st birthday in McCafferty’s bar on November 5, 2021. In his deposition, Mr McCrea said that Mr Griffin had travelled to Donegal Town on the bus, arriving at about 5.30pm. Mr McCrea presented him with a pint of Coors Light. 

“People were all chatting to him,” continued Mr McCrea. “He was in good form.”

At around 10.30pm, Mr Griffin said he was going to head home. Mr McCrea offered him a bed for the night but he turned it down and left McCafferty’s.

Mr McCrea gave evidence of trying to call Mr Griffin that night and again the next morning, and of being unable to reach him.

The inquest heard from Rachel Hegarty, who had discovered Mr Griffin’s remains along with her partner. The couple had been staying in a camper van at the pier. 

At around 11.50am on November 6, they went for a walk through the Old Abbey graveyard. As they returned on the path towards the pier, they noticed a man’s body lying face down in the sand.

Ms Hegarty ran to the garda station while her partner stayed with the deceased. 

A photograph that Ms Hegarty had taken on her phone a few minutes before the remains were discovered showed the time to be 12.08pm.

Donegal Coroner, Dr Denis McCauley

Garda Louis Browne, who knew Mr Griffin, gave evidence of attending the scene with his Roads Policing Unit colleague, Garda Sean Rogers. 

Sergeant Helen Munelly, Garda Catherine Henry and Garda Gerard Friel were already present. He and Garda Rogers sealed off the area. 

Garda Munnelly found a wallet nearby, which contained items belonging to Martin Griffin. 

Garda Browne then looked at the remains, and confirmed the identity of the deceased.

He told the inquest that CCTV footage from McCafferty’s Bar and Donegal Town Garda Station showed Mr Griffin walking down Quay Street and then along the quay towards the pier. 

Sergeant Munnelly was not present but her deposition was read into the inquest. She gave evidence of attending the scene after being informed by Rachel Hegarty that a body had been discovered. 

She too said that the body was lying face down in the gravel and sand. There was blood in the head area, and no signs of life. 

She notified Now Doc, and Dr Ali Hadi attended and pronounced Martin Griffin to be deceased. Fr Francis McLoone administered the last rites at 15.20 and the deceased was removed to Letterkenny University Hospital for a post mortem examination.

Pathologist Dr Katrina Dillon gave evidence of carrying out the post mortem examination on November 8. She told the inquest that her examination showed that Mr Griffin had died as a result of drowning. 

Fractures to his ribs along with soft tissue injuries and external bruising and abrasions suggested that he had either fallen into the water, or had hit something hard on impact. 

The post mortem examination also showed that Mr Griffin had an alcohol level of 177mg of alcohol per 100ml of blood.

Dr Denis McCauley returned a finding of accidental death caused by drowning. 

Regarding the alcohol level, Dr McCauley said it was not a significant amount.

“His coordination would have been a little bit impaired but not totally impaired,” he said.

Summing up the evidence, the coroner said: “Martin went to a party with a friend. He came from the party and went down to the pier and unfortunately, he slipped in and injured himself. That would have impaired his ability to save himself.”
Dr McCauley, who is a GP in Stranorlar, said he knew Martin Griffin through his work.

“He was always a lovely man to meet. I must admit, I was totally unaware of his previous history of such a superb athletic career. 

“He was always very quiet about it. I think if I was as good at Gaelic as Martin, I would have been talking about it all the time, but he was a humble man and it is sad that his life ended in such a way. 

“My condolences to all the family.”

The coroner thanked witnesses for giving evidence, adding: “Thanks to Garda Louis Browne for investigating so thoroughly.”

Sergeant Stephen Lynch expressed his condolences to Mr Griffin’s family on behalf of An Garda Síochana.

On a personal level, the sergeant said: “I knew Martin Griffin from playing club football with him. I was one of the younger players when he was finishing. He would always have looked out for the younger guys on the field. 

“His death came as a shock and I want to pass on my condolences.”

Football Career

With his club, Sean MacCumhaills, Martin Griffin won a Donegal minor title in 1971 and the Under-21 in 1975 and also played on the last club team to lift the Donegal SFC crown back in 1977.

He made his inter-county debut in 1973, winning three Ulster Senior Football Championships in 1974, 1983, and 1990.