Darragh Coffey

Inquests

Darragh regularly appears in Coroner’s Courts representing both families and institutional Interested Persons in both coroner led inquests and those that are held before juries. Darragh wrote a chapter for the forthcoming second edition of the ‘Inquest Book’ on Anonymity, Protective Measures and Public Interest Immunity. He spoke to Inns of Court College of Advocacy Bar Course on “the Coronial Jurisdiction in England and Wales” and gave an overview of inquests and coronial proceedings from the perspective of a Junior Barrister.

Selected Cases

• Re SW (2025): Represented the family at the inquest into the death of a 20-year-old following her attendance at a hospital with symptoms of meningitis.
• Re WN (2025): Represented the family of a 39-yr-old who died from a toxic mix of his prescription drugs as well as a small amount of amphetamine.
• Re AP (2024): Represented the family at the inquest into the death of a a 43-year old Consultant Haematologist and father of two who suffered from suffering from Hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (‘HLH’), a rare disorder in which he himself was an expert.
• Re JM (2021): Represented NHS Trust at inquest into death of toddler from choking at Butlins.
• Re H (2021): Represented the family of teenager who died from glandular fever via the AvMA pro bono service.
• Inquest touching upon the death of JW: Acted for the Deceased’s family and drew the coroner’s attention to several issues of concern, which resulted in five Prevention of Future Death (PFD) reports being issued.
• Inquest touching upon the death of DB: Represented the London Ambulance Service in a five day jury inquest into a death in custody to which the LAS were called.
• Inquest touching the death of AH: Represented an air ambulance service before an inquest investigating the death of a person who was transferred between hospitals by the service before subsequently deteriorating and passing away.
• Inquest touching the death of AG: Represented the family of an infant who passed away at one day of age whilst still in hospital.
• Inquest touching the death of PV: Instructed by the Metropolitan Police Service in a jury inquest in to a death in custody.