A man was in a semi-comatose state for nearly 34 years following a road-traffic accident before he died in a Dublin hospital, an inquest at Dublin City Coroner's Court heard yesterday.
Mr Thomas Dolan (57) was one of a number of people who were struck by a car crossing the road in Johannesburg on May 27th, 1966. He suffered a brain-stem injury and was treated for about nine months in South Africa before being returned to Ireland. He was moved to Hamstead Private Hospital, where he spent about 32 years.
Mr John Dolan told the inquest his brother never regained consciousness during the 34 years and never spoke. He died at the Mater Hospital on 30th January last. The jury returned a verdict of accidental death.