BACK PAGES:THE LIMERICK Grand Prix held on the city's streets on bank holiday Monday in 1936 ended in tragedy when the Bugatti of the 22-year-old Duke of Grafton, John Charles William FitzRoy, burst into flames as it hit a gatepost after rounding a corner. An inquest in Barrington's Hospital next day included eyewitness evidence:
Mr Samuel T. Robinson, 33 South King Street, Dublin, stated that he was chief technical officer to the Irish Motor Racing Club. It was his duty to examine every car before it was allowed to take part either in practice or the race. He examined the Duke of Grafton’s car on the 31st of July. He paid particular attention to the steering and the brakes, including the steering points and connections, and he found them in perfect condition . . .
Inspector Brazil – Could you form any opinion as to why the car should have gone on fire? – I think it is pretty obvious that the back of the car containing the petrol tank struck the wall and caused the fluid to spill on the red-hot exhaust pipe where it ignited. As a result of such a fire the car would be completely enveloped in flames.
Dr. W. O’Sullivan stated that he examined the body of the Duke of Grafton and found that death was due to shock and heart failure following extensive burns.
Mr. T. E. O’Donnell, solicitor, stated that he was section marshal in the Limerick Motor Race which included the scene of the accident. He saw the car which was driven by the late Duke coming through the opening from William Street to Roxboro’ Road.
It left the ground after coming over the road and moved about ten yards before it went into a skid. The car travelled for about 25 yards in a slight skid, and then the right back portion struck the pier at the entrance to the Christian Brothers’ Schools.
The car immediately became enveloped in flames. It travelled for about 50 yards and was burning fiercely, and the footpath from the place of impact to where the car rested was just one sheet of flame.
Everything possible that could be done was done for the Duke.
Albert Bennett, 11 James’s Street, Limerick, stated that he was also a marshal at the place where the accident occurred. He saw a car coming towards a bend on the road. It made a dash into the wall, and was immediately enveloped in flames.
“I ran immediately for an extinguisher,” added the witness, “and I turned it on the car. I found the Duke lying on the ground three or four feet from the car, with the flames around him. He was badly burned, but he was able to speak. He said: ‘I am all right; I am not too bad.’ His clothes had been burned off.”
Did you remove him? asked Inspector Brazil.
The witness said that he walked for about a yard, aided by another marshal and himself. He was then removed on a stretcher to a nearby yard, where a doctor arrived soon after . . .
Major Niall MacNeill, President of the Irish Motor Racing Club, stated that every competitor in the motor race was required to qualify in practice by completing at least three laps of the course. The late Duke of Grafton completed ten laps on Saturday morning, all of which, except the first two, were well above the qualifying speed of 45 miles an hour.
The test was a serious one and properly carried out.
Everything went to show that both the entrant and his car were fully qualified to compete.
“It is inevitable, in the history of motor racing,” added Major MacNeill, “that these sad accidents will occur.”
The jury returned a verdict of accidental death.
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