Pat McCafferty, 49, was found on the Tullychurry Road, after he was killed in a incident which his family and police believe to involve his brother Francie.
A FATHER-of-five was knocked down and killed by his brother in a violent hit-and-run near Belleek, a court has heard.
Pat McCafferty, 49, was found on the Tullychurry Road, after he was killed in a incident which his family and police believe to involve his brother Francie.
An inquest into his death heard that he was struck by a car shortly before 3am on January 5, earlier this year and died two hours later.
He suffered a severe brain injury, three fractured ribs and injuries to his legs after he was struck by the car and thrown in to the air.
His daughter, 24-year-old Christina McCafferty, who lives in Belleek explained that he was separated from his wife, Patricia, and he was father to Majella, Fiona, Padraig and Steven.
“We had a very close relationship and he had a very good heart,” she said.
“If I fell out with him he would be in the next day as if nothing had happened, he looked after me. He would drink at the weekends and would get angry with anyone who crossed him.
“He has two brothers Liam and Francie and one sister Mary. He didn’t have a great relationship with his family, they never had a lot of time for him and his mother never bothered with him. They treated him like crap and he never got on with Francie. They were always falling out and would have physical fall outs.
“The last time I saw him alive was the Friday before he died and he was fine and was happy to start back to work.
“The police came to my door just after 7am and said he had been killed and they believed Francie did it.”
Pathologist Gavin Dunn, who carried out the post mortem, stated that the digger driver suffered head and neck injuries, a fractured spine and extensive injuries to his head.
“His brain injury was the major factor in his death and the pattern of injuries shows he was in a standing position at bumper level when he was hit,” he said.
“He suffered injuries to his lower legs with the right lower leg taking the brunt of the impact. Following the impact he was thrown in the air and suffered a second impact when he hit the windscreen and then landed on the road.”
“He also had a high concentration of alcohol, which was three and a half times the legal limit for driving and had taken sleeping pills.”
Coroner John Leckey said Mr McCafferty died a violent death while Detective Inspector Brian Foster confirmed that a criminal investigation was launched shortly after his death and that it was still live.
“All the evidence would indicate that Francie McCafferty was driving the car and that will go into the melting pot with all the other evidence,” Mr Foster added.
However, the inspector was only able to provide limited information surrounding the case because of ongoing investigations.
“I believe that he is living in the Republic of Ireland and he is aware that his brother’s death is subject of a criminal investigation.”
Mr Leckey told his family: “I’m sure you hope the invesetigation leads to the apprehension and conviction of the person responsible.”
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