A verdict of accidental death was recorded in the case of former Aer Lingus chairman Mr Bernie Cahill, at a Co Cork Coroners Court yesterday, writes Olivia Kelleher from Bantry.
Pathologist Prof CT Doyle said Mr Cahill died from acute cardio-respiratory failure secondary to drowning on August 17th.
The inquest was told Mr Cahill died after slipping off a private pier near his holiday home in Schull, Co Cork, as he attempted to secure his motorboat.
Ms Kathleen Cahill had returned from a trip to the nearby town of Skibberreen when she saw her husband's car by the pier and went to look for him.
She found her husband's lifejacket and keys on the quayside near their home. In a written Garda statement the court was told that Ms Cahill "saw his Mr Cahill's legs and he was lying face down". Mr Cahill was pronounced dead at the scene by Dr Larry O'Connor.