An Englishman attending a Buddhist retreat centre in a remote part of west Cork died from injuries consistent with falling from a window. A statement from the centre said Buddhist leaders around the world were offering prayers. Gardai have ruled out foul play in the death of the man at the centre in the Allihies early on Wednesday morning.
Mr Ian Pollard (42) was found naked in the grounds of the Dzogchen Beara Retreat, having apparently fallen from a window. His cries for help were heard by people in the centre, but by the time a doctor and ambulance arrived he could not be resuscitated. He had severe lacerations to his body. In a statement last night, the retreat centre said Mr Pollard had been a regular visitor to Allihies to get away from his busy life in London. He regularly attended residential courses there and was a frequent holidaymaker in the area.
"Ian usually stayed in a dormitory in the Dzogchen Beara hostel except when the hostel was busy. On these occasions, because he was very conscious of his restless sleep, he would continue to use the hostel facilities during the day but at night he chose to sleep by himself in a cabin on the periphery of the Dzogchen Beara land. "On the evening of Thursday, June 25th, Ian booked into the hostel, left his belongings and provisions there, and again chose to sleep in the cabin. In the early hours of Wednesday, July 1st, Ian seems to have fallen from the window of the cabin, sustaining serious injuries.
"Since hearing of Ian's death, prominent Buddhist masters and lamas worldwide have been offering prayers, as have the local community and all those presently attending the meditation course at Dzogchen Beara. Everyone at Dzogchen Beara is deeply shocked and would like to express their sincerest condolences to his family and friends."