This article is from page 16 of the 2008-02-05 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 16 JPG
A HUNGARIAN student who came to Clare to spend the summer with relatives died after he fell from a height during a visit to the Cliffs of Moher.
Tibor Bardos (19) went missing while on a day trip with his aunt and uncle, last June.
Karoly Torok told Ennis Coroner’s Court last Wednesday that Mr Bar- dos – who was his wife’s nephew – was staying at his house in Kilrush
last summer.
He had visited Ireland to work, for the summer period. One June 23, they decided to visit the Cliffs of Moher. They first went to the interpretative centre and then took photographs at the tower.
They arrived at the end of the safe walking area and Tibor wanted to walk further to take photographs. A short time later, they were in contact with him, via phone, and arranged to meet.
“He agreed to meet us in 20 min-
utes,” said Mr Torok.
However, when he did not appear, Mr ‘Torok’s wife tried to phone Mr Bardos, but only got his voicemail.
They eventually went back to their car, but were not “really worried” as they thought he had met someone or was reading a book, as he was inter- ested in history.
However, as time passed, they be- came very worried. Later that night, gardai made them aware that Tibor’s body had been recovered.
Tom Doherty was working as a
ranger at the cliffs that day. He took part in a search for Mr Bardos. It got underway at 9.32pm and a body was spotted just six minutes later in the water at Johnston’s Quarry. The body was taken from the water and taken to the pier at Doolin.
Pathologist Dr Peter Fawl carried out an autopsy on the deceased’s body, at Limerick Regional Hospi- ae
He said Mr Bardos received a lac- eration to the forehead. Death was due to multiple injuries, including
Skull fracture, consistent with the de- ceased having fallen from a height.
Coroner Isobel O’Dea said “one can only presume it was an accident. There was nothing to indicate he was suffering from depression”.
‘There was no direct evidence as to what happened. I’m absolutely satis- fied there was no suspicion of foul play,” she said, and recorded an open verdict.
“T can only imagine how difficult it must be for Mr Bardos’ family, to be so far away,’ added Ms O’Dea.