A Garrison man who died following a car accident may have suffered a heart attack prior to the collision, a coroner has ruled.

An inquest into the death of 74-year-old Sean Patrick Keown from Cashel Road, Scribbagh, Garrison, found the deceased died as a result of multiple injuries sustained in the accident which occurred at Mullinashellistra, Garrison in June 2005.

However, the Coroner, Brian Sherrard, further added he could not rule out the possibility that Mr Keown had suffered a heart attack in the moments leading up to the crash.

The inquest initially started in September last year, but was adjourned until this week to allow forensic evidence to be admitted.

As a result of this evidence, the Coroner presented his findings.

He recorded "Mr Keown died as a result of multiple injuries he sustained when the car he was driving towards Garrison was in a head-on collision with another car travelling towards Belcoo, on the main road at 4.30pm on Thursday, 30 June 2005."

Mr Sherrard continued explaining: "His car had been seen driving erratically and on the wrong side of the road before the collision, causing the oncoming car to take evasive action."

A post-mortem report explained Mr Keown had heart problems, and as a result Mr Sherrard added:

"The possibility cannot be excluded he may have suffered a heart attack, rendering him unconscious or impairing his ability to drive."

Mr Sherrard extended his sympathy to the family of Mr Keown, and Eugene Corrigan, solicitor acting for David Power, the driver of the other vehicle involved in the collision, asked for his client to be associated with the Coroner's remarks.