The events which led to the tragic deaths of two women, one a Galway native, in a head-on collission on the M6 last summer was described as a nightmare during an inquest at Offaly Coroner’s Court this week.
Coroner Brian Mahon made the comment after hearing the evidence at the inquest into the death of Helen Gonoude (66 ) of Derrygolan, Killeigh, Co Offaly. According to reports, the inquest heard how Ms Gonoude had driven for 8km on the wrong side of the motorway and had caused the head-on collision which also resulted in the death of Delia Flaherty, aged in her 30s and from Carraroe. Ms Flaherty lost her fight for life three days after the incident which took place on June 28 last year.
Evidence was given that Ms Gonoude had had a moderate-to-high level of alcohol in her system when drove on the wrong side of the M6 Dublin to Galway. A number of attempts were made to stop Ms Gonoude, who had been travelling in the direction of Dublin before colliding with a car, driven by Ms Flaherty, at a location between Moate and Clara. Both Ms Genoude and Ms Flaherty were taken to the Midland Regional Hospital at Tullamore where Mrs Genoude was pronounced dead while Ms Flaherty was subsequently transferred to Beaumont Hospital in Dublin.
