A Garda who was struck by a motorcycle while working at a speed checkpoint in north Dublin earlier this year has been remembered at an inquest that heard he died from multiple traumatic injuries sustained in the collision.
Garda Kevin Flatley, aged 49, was fatally injured when a high-powered Yamaha R1 1000cc motorcycle collided with him on the R132 at Lanestown, Co Dublin, on 11 May. The incident occurred shortly before 1pm while he was operating a speed checkpoint on the old Swords-to-Balbriggan road.
The married father of two, from Moylaragh Crescent in Balbriggan, had served with An Garda Síochána for over 26 years and was attached to the Roads Policing Unit at Dublin Castle. He was pronounced dead at the scene.
At the opening of the inquest at Dublin District Coroner’s Court, his wife Úna Flatley formally identified her husband’s body to gardaí at the Dublin City Mortuary in Whitehall. The brief hearing was also attended by his parents, Michael and Breda Flatley.
Coroner Aisling Gannon extended her sympathies to Garda Flatley’s family, acknowledging that the hearing would cause additional distress following such a tragic loss. She also noted that the sitting came just after what would have been his birthday.
Ms Gannon confirmed that post-mortem results showed Garda Flatley had “died from multiple traumatic injuries sustained in a road traffic collision between a pedestrian and a motorcycle.”
Inspector Richard Byrne applied for a three-month adjournment under Section 25(1) of the Coroners Act, telling the court that the Garda investigation into the incident remains ongoing. The coroner granted the application and scheduled 11 February next year for an update on the case.
Following his death, gardaí issued a public statement after online posts claimed to offer eyewitness accounts of the collision. Authorities said the social media commentary was “completely inaccurate” and “had no basis whatsoever in fact.” Gardaí also warned of the dangers of misinformation and urged the public to verify details independently before sharing content online.
In May, hundreds of colleagues, friends and members of the public gathered for Garda Flatley’s funeral service at St Peter and St Paul’s Church in Balbriggan, where he was remembered as a dedicated officer, husband and father.
Garda Flatley was the 90th member of An Garda Síochána to lose his life in the line of duty.
The motorcyclist involved in the crash, Izzet Can Berber, from Balgriffin in north Dublin, also later died from his injuries. Mr Berber, who was in his 30s and originally from Turkey, passed away in the intensive care unit at Beaumont Hospital on 31 May. He was married and had a son and two stepchildren.
Coroner Ms Gannon expressed her condolences to both families and confirmed that the full details of the fatal incident would be heard when the inquest resumes next year.
