Horseman fatally injured

A Wexford man suffered fatal head injuries when his horse bolted, fell and threw him on to the road as he rode to a hunt meeting…

A Wexford man suffered fatal head injuries when his horse bolted, fell and threw him on to the road as he rode to a hunt meeting, an inquest at Dublin City Coroner's Court heard yesterday.

Mr Richard Rochford (43) of Croase, Clearystown, Co Wexford, died in Beaumont Hospital, Dublin, on March 16th last, a week after the incident at Scar Cross. A post-mortem showed he died of head and brain injuries.

Mr John Rochford said they were riding to the hunt when his brother's horse, which was a bit jittery, bolted and galloped away. He found his brother on the road bleeding from his nose. His brother was wearing a standard jockey's helmet at the time and had 35 years' riding experience.

The coroner, Dr Brian Farrell, recorded a verdict of accidental death.