A 24-year-old musician who was killed while driving home from a gig in Killarney has been found to have died by accidental death.
Rory Craig, from Togher in Cork, died when his Volkswagen Polo crossed the N22 and crashed into a tree at Islandmore, Clonkeen, Killarney, on 8 December 2024.
An inquest into his death was held at Tralee Courthouse yesterday.
The inquest heard Mr Craig had performed with a band at a corporate event in Killarney on the night of 7 December.
A bandmate, Aengus Mac A Bháird, was the last person to see him alive, leaving the venue between 1.20 and 1.40am.
Off-duty Garda Joseph Rice came upon the crash at around 7 o'clock that morning.
He said he saw a large fire at the roadside and soon realised a car had struck a tree.
He said he tried to open the door but was forced back by the flames.
Forensic collision investigator Garda Sergeant Tomás Barry said CCTV footage showed Mr Craig's car passing through Glenflesk shortly before 7am.
He found no mechanical defect that could have caused the collision and no evidence of braking.
He said the car crossed the road at the exit of a bend, travelled 31.5 metres along the opposite verge and struck a tree head-on before catching fire.
Assistant State Pathologist Dr Margot Bolster said Mr Craig died from acute carbon monoxide poisoning following a road traffic collision.
No alcohol or drugs were detected in his system.
Returning a verdict of accidental death, Coroner Aisling Quilter said there was no evidence to suggest otherwise.
She said it was reasonable to assume Mr Craig had fallen asleep at the wheel.
