A SOLDIER suffered a fractured skull in a row outside a city centre nightclub, Dublin City Coroner's Court was told yesterday.
Private Darrell Reilly (39), of Windmill Road, Drogheda, a father of four boys, died on April 16th last at Beaumont Hospital after he fell and hit his head following a blow to the mouth.
The soldier, who was based at Clancy Barracks, Islandbridge, had been celebrating with colleagues who were due to leave on a six month tour of duty in Lebanon. The incident happened outside Rumours disco in O'Connell Street early on April 16th.
Prof John Harbison, The State Pathologist, said the cause of death was laceration of the brain with haemorrhage, associated with a fracture of the skull. This was consistent with a fall following a blow to the mouth area, he said.
The City Coroner, Dr Brian Farrell, agreed to adjourn the case to October 16th, at the request of the Garda.