Cork father of three (56) died after wasp stings, inquest hears

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19 hours ago

A 56-year-old father of three died at his home in Macroom, Co Cork, last year after he received five or six wasp stings as he picked up hedge clippings to the rear of his property, an inquest has heard.
Michael (Mick) Sheehan, who was originally from Ballinlough in Cork city, was pronounced dead at 2:16pm on November 5th, 2024, at his home in Glen Tanar, Carriganine in Macroom.
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His wife Carmel Sheehan told an inquest at Macroom Court on Wednesday that at around noon on that day her husband was on the phone in his study.
Shortly afterwards he told her that he was going out to two help men who were cutting the hedge at his property.
After a short period he came in to their home and stated that he was 'after getting stung by a wasp.' Mrs Sheehan said that her husband wasn't showing any ill effects at this point. There was no obvious cause for concern.
Mrs Sheehan realised that there wasn't any over the counter allergy medication in the family medicine cabinet.
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She then decided to make the short journey one mile down the road to the local chemist to pick up the allergy medication Zirtek.
When Mrs Sheehan returned to the property she found her husband 'face down on the kitchen floor.' She ran out the back to the two men who were working in the garden. She said they all rushed in to the house.
'I (then) saw John (the gardener) trying to get Mick to respond. He was sitting Mick up and slapping his face.'
Mrs Sheehan called an ambulance. The emergency services were alerted and the Irish Community Air Ambulance from Rathcoole landed in the nearby golf club.
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Mrs Sheehan said that when she knew the air ambulance was coming she rushed down to try to show the medics the shortcut to her house.
When she arrived back to the house first responder told her that if she had prayers to say it was probably the appropriate time to start them.
Mrs Sheehan said that sometime after 2pm Consultant in Emergency Medicine, Dr Jason van der Velde informed her that her husband had passed away.
A local priest was contacted and prayers were said in the kitchen before the deceased was brought to the morgue at Cork University Hospital for a postmortem examination.
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Mrs Sheehan told Coroner Frank O'Connell that her husband was 'absolutely fine' when she left to the go to the chemist. She made it to and from the local pharmacy in a handful of minutes.
She said that before she left her husband was understandably a little 'agitated.' However, there was nothing to suggest what would later occur. Mrs Sheehan said her husband had no history of allergies.
A statement was read in to evidence from gardener John White. Mr White said that when he and the other gardener went in to the house they found Mick Sheehan lying on his side in the kitchen. They commenced CPR.
Mr White stated that a female first responder took over CPR upon her arrival and a defibrillator was also used by medics at the scene.
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Meanwhile, Garda Don Coomey gave evidence of going to the Sheehan home after he was informed of the death of the retired tax consultant. He noted that was a small number of wasps in a nest out the back of the property.
Assistant State Pathologist, Dr Margaret Bolster, gave evidence on behalf of another pathologist who had carried out the postmortem on the deceased. She said that Mr Sheehan suffered around five to six wasp stings on his head, back and arms.
She said that very high levels of tryptase were recorded. Elevated levels of tryptase can be a marker for severe anaphylactic reactions, including those triggered by insect stings.
Dr Bolster told members of the family that Mr Sheehan suffered a swelling of the larynx which obstructed his breathing causing him to 'collapse very suddenly.'
Dr Bolster stated that Mr Sheehan had suffered a massive allergic reaction. She told the family that she didn't think that 'anything could have been done' to change the outcome.
Mr O'Connell recorded a verdict of accidental death. He said it was 'most unfortunate' that Mr Sheehan died when he was 'innocently picking up hedge clippings.'
The Coroner said that he met the late Mr Sheehan about a decade ago in a work capacity and found him to be a 'pleasure to deal with.'
He offered his condolences to the Sheehan family on the loss of a much loved father and husband. He described Mr Sheehan as a 'noted expert' in the tax field.
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Inspector Mary Skehan also offered her heartfelt condolences to Carmel Sheehan, the couple's adult chidren Conor, Katie and Aine and the extended Sheehan family.
Mr Sheehan retired a year prior to his death. He was remembered by colleagues as a 'thorough gentleman' with a 'quick wit.' He was also a devoted family man.
Speaking after the inquest, members of the Sheehan family urged the public to be aware of possible side effects of insect stings. They said that people who know that they have an allergic reaction to wasp or bee stings should consider investing in EpiPens.
Anaphylaxis UK says that for the majority of people an insect sting is uncomfortable but not dangerous. Tragically, for some, a bee or wasp sting can be serious and lead to potentially life-threatening anaphylaxis.