The inquest into the deaths of five people in a boating tragedy off the coast of Wexford in late July was adjourned at New Ross courthouse yesterday to allow for the completion of the investigation by the Department of the Marine.
Four men and a teenage boy died when the fishing vessel the Pisces sunk at Fethard-on-Sea, Co Wexford, on the morning of Sunday, July 28th.
Those lost included three generations of the same family - New Ross undertaker James Cooney, his son-in-law Séamus Doyle and grandson Mark Doyle - as well as two friends of the family, Martin Roche and John Cullen.
The Wexford coroner, Mr Jimmy Murphy, opening the hearing, said the tragedy had had a profound effect on the Wexford community.
He said the inquest would be opened briefly to hear the evidence of pathologist Dr Bob Landers, who carried out the autopsies, so that death certificates could be issued.
This would allow the respective families to carry out all the necessary formalities.
Dr Landers, who carried out all five autopsies at Waterford Regional Hospital on July 29th, said his examination showed that all five had died of asphyxia from drowning.
Garda Supt Tom Saunderson of New Ross told the inquest: "The investigation into the sinking of the Pisces is not complete. The Department of the Marine findings and report on the examination of the boat are not yet available."
Mr Murphy then adjourned the case until all the necessary reports became available.
Mr Murphy expressed his deepest sympathy to the families involved.
Supt Saunderson added his condolences on behalf of the Garda and Mr Nick O'Brien, the foreman of the jury, concurred.
The hearing was attended by Ms Joanne Cooney, daughter of James Cooney, Mr Nick Cooney, his brother, and Mr Paddy Doyle, father of Séamus Doyle.