Laois Coroner issues recommendations following death of teenager

Laois Coroner Eugene O’Connor last week sent recommendations around the use of racing quad bikes to the HSA, RSA and Department of Transport over the tragic death of a Laois teenager. 

15-year-old David Brown died when a racing quad bike being driven by his friend and cousin went out of control and crashed at Ballyshaneduff, Ballybrittas on Sunday, April 9, 2023. 

David’s heartbroken family issued a statement warning people of the dangers of such racing quad bikes at David’s inquest in Portlaoise on November 28, 2024. 

The inquest found David had died as a result of injuries sustained in the collision and the Coroner agreed to compile recommendations for the RSA (Road Safety Authority) and the HSA(Health and Safety Authority). At the time, he likened the process to issuing safety recommendations for a shotgun given how dangerous racing quads are. 

“Are there lessons to be learned from David’s untimely death? We hope so,” David’s heartbroken parents said in a statement at his inquest.  

“David died as the result of a tragic accident involving a racing quad bike. These are not toys, they are potentially and in our case sadly literally lethal weapons especially in the hands of young people. If we don’t accept that responsibility there will be more David’s, more families who will have to endure the terrible, life changing and endless loss we feel today and every day,” they said at the time.  

Last week on January 6, those recommendations were sent to the HSA, RSA and to the Department of Transport by the  Laois Coroner. 

Mr O’Connor described the 400cc Suzuki quad bike involved in the collision as a non-working or non-agriculture vehicle which isn’t designed for the roads and therefore isn’t governed by laws relating to normal road use. 

The Coroner said he wished to draw the attention of the Department, HSA and RSA to seven issues in particular. Of primary concern was the lack of regulation around the use of such bikes. 

The Coroner, who compiled the recommendations in consultation with Mr Brown’s family, said consideration should be given for appropriate regulations which would include age limitations on the use of such quads and a register of ownership for the vehicles.

He also recommended regulation on the importation of such quads, the fitting of a control device to prevent unpermitted use and a device to inhibit and or limit the speed of such bikes. 

“It is considered that the advice section of the HSA and RSA should draw particular  attention to the risks with quad bikes of this nature as distinct from the existing advice or guidance for quad vehicles that are used on the farm or in a workplace,” he stated. 

Finally, Mr O’Connor suggested the introduction of measures to prevent pillion passengers riding on such quads. 

David’s uncle Justin Brown read a statement from the family at the inquest in Portlaoise last November. 

“The day David died our lives changed forever. We come here today with shattered hearts. But even in these dark moments we have been aided in our journey through grief by the wonderful thoughts, prayers and wishes given to us by so many friends, family, the Community of Portlaoise and indeed in many cases complete strangers. We want to thank all those people who have been there for us and who continue to help us through  the dark, painful journey we are on, a journey we didn’t expect to be on but one we must endure together as a family,” he read. 

“David was just a gentleman, so full of life. David had a great sense of humour with a spirit for adventure. From a young age David’s kindness and empathy was always shining through. He was polite and mannerly,” his family recalled.  

“He was bright and always had a curious mind with a big smile on his face. He was always happy and carefree, never in a hurry always going at his own pace. We hate that we won’t see David going to his Debs, getting married. All the birthdays and occasions we will never get to share because of this accident,” the family said. 

The Leinster Express contacted the HSA and RSA for comment. 

The HSA said “The Authority will consider any recommendations appropriate to the remit of the Authority from this inquest. They will be reviewed in line with our current guidance, advice, and legislative mandate regarding the use of ATVs for work.” 

The RSA had not responded at the time of going to print on Monday afternoon. 

The seven recommendations issued by the Coroner and the family are as follows: 

1. It appears notwithstanding the well-known dangers of these vehicles, that quad bikes  used outside a workplace and or used other than as a road vehicle that do not come  under any regulatory regime. 
2. Consideration must be given to Quad bikes used for speed activities, racing, recreation or like activities be the subject of appropriate regulation and in addition  that such regulation include specific age limitations for the operation of Quad bikes. 
3. Consideration should be given to a requirement that ownership of such devices (not  unlike other sporting devices) be subject to the requirement to having a register of  owners of such vehicles. 
4. It is considered that the advice section of the HSA and RSA should draw particular  attention to the risks with quad bikes of this nature as distinct from the existing advice or guidance for quad vehicles that are used on the farm or in a workplace. 
5. It is also considered that that there should be some regulation on the importing of  such vehicles new or second hand and that on such event that the vehicles be fitted  with some control device to prevent unpermitted use. 
6. and measures taken so that there is an optional device to inhibit and or limit speed. 
7. and measures to prevent the operation of such vehicle with a pillion passenger.