A tragic accident was the cause of death of the journalist and broadcaster Mr Jonathan Philbin Bowman (31), an inquest into his death heard yesterday.
Dublin City Coroner's Court was told he was last seen alive walking to his home at 1 Fitzgerald Street, Harold's Cross, at around 7 p.m. on Friday, March 3rd, this year by a woman who noted he was "very drunk".
His family became concerned on Sunday evening, March 5th, when he hadn't returned their calls, and the following afternoon alerted the gardai, who forced the front door of his house.
Garda Insp James Flood said he found Mr Philbin Bowman lying slumped against a partition in the kitchen of his home. The bottom pane of glass in a door leading to a courtyard at the rear of his house was broken. He said it appeared Mr Philbin Bowman had tripped over a stool and fallen "at an unfortunate angle", and his head broke the glass. His keys were beside him. It appeared he had been dead for some time.
A report from deputy State pathologist Dr Marie Cassidy said the deceased had died from facial injuries consistent with cuts from glass. They were superficial injuries but bled considerably and resulted in his death. She found a considerable amount of alcohol in his system. The level in his blood was 402 mg and in his urine 383 mg. There were no drugs present.
She said the amount of alcohol in his system would have rendered him unsteady on his feet, perhaps precipitating the fall. Once on the ground, his level of consciousness might have been clouded by the alcohol and he might not have been aware of the danger to his life, she said.
The coroner said he could only hope Jonathan would not have suffered unduly. His mother, Dr Eimear Philbin Bowman, said that from what she knew she presumed he would have lost consciousness. Otherwise, he would have answered calls to his mobile.
Statements by the deceased's mother and father were read. In her statement, Dr Philbin Bowman said she was concerned about Jonathan when his son Saul phoned looking for him and said his Dad hadn't answered his mobile. Jonathan hadn't been seen for a few days but his family was unaware of this because Saul had been with his mother, Ms Caraiosa Mehigan, she said.
Jonathan's father, Mr John Bowman, said he called his son's answering service on Monday, March 6th. Normally he would reply within five minutes but this time he didn't. This, combined with Saul's call, caused him to be alarmed and he telephoned Rathmines Garda station.
Ms Kathleen Bolger said she was walking home on Friday, March 3rd, when she saw Mr Philbin Bowman walking down Fitzgerald Street. He seemed very drunk and unsteady on his feet. He dropped books, which she helped him pick up. She told him she read his page every Sunday and he gave her a big hug. He had sobered up before she left him and was speaking clearly. She saw him enter his house and his last words to her were: "Wait now. We will have a long chat and discuss generalities."
Returning a verdict of accidental death on or about March 3rd/ 4th, Dr Farrell said Mr Philbin Bowman was by all accounts a man of considerable talent and great promise. Sympathising with the deceased's family and friends, he said he hoped they would be able to come to terms with his death.
Mr John Bowman expressed his gratitude to Dr Farrell, the State Pathologist's office and the gardai for their professionalism.