Cork father of three died after getting five or six wasp stings, inquest hears

Irish Examiner

25-06-2025

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, originally from Ballinlough in Cork City, was pronounced dead at 2.16pm on November 5, 2024, at his home in Glen Tanar, Carriganine, Macroom.
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 help two men who were cutting the hedge at his property.
After a short period, he came into their home and stated that he was 'after getting stung by a wasp'.
Ms Sheehan said that her husband was not showing any ill effects at this point. There was no obvious cause for concern.
Ms Sheehan realised that there wasn't any over-the-counter allergy medication in the family medicine cabinet.
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 Ms 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 into the house.
'I [then] saw John [the gardener] trying to get Mick to respond. He was sitting Mick up and slapping his face.'
Ms Sheehan called an ambulance.
The emergency services were alerted and the Irish Community Air Ambulance from Rathcoole landed in the nearby golf club.
Ms 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, a first responder told her that if she had prayers to say it was probably the appropriate time to start them.
Ms 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 an autopsy.
Ms Sheehan told coroner Frank O'Connell that her husband was 'absolutely fine' when she left to 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.
No history of allergies
Ms Sheehan said her husband had no history of allergies.
A statement was read into evidence from gardener John White.
Mr White said that when he and the other gardener went into the house, they found Mr 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.
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 there was a small number of wasps in a nest at the back of the property.
Dr Margaret Bolster, assistant State pathologist, gave evidence on behalf of another pathologist who had carried out the autopsy 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 did not think that 'anything could have been done' to change the outcome.
Verdict of accidental death
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.
Inspector Mary Skehan also offered her heartfelt condolences to Ms Sheehan, the couple's adult chidren Conor, Katie, and Áine 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 the 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.