An 85-year-old nun passed away due to injuries sustained when her car veered into the path of an incoming tractor belonging to a farmer on a road in west Clare, according to reports from a recent inquest. At the Clare Coroner’s court, Nuala Hayes, an eyewitness, testified that she was driving behind Sr Cecilia Keating’s grey Kia Picanto vehicle, and she began sounding her horn and flashing her lights when she noticed the Kia was on the wrong side of the road.
Hayes continued with her attempts to alert Sr Keating, and the car momentarily returned to the correct side of the road. However, as the car went around a curve, it ultimately returned to the incorrect side of the road and collided with the right front tyre of an oncoming yellow JCB tractor, said Hayes. Hayes further elucidated on how the JCB tractor was either stationary or moving at a very reduced speed when the collision occurred.
Hayes exited her car to approach the scene of the accident, where she found the female driver of the Kia unresponsive. Hayes recalls telling the unconscious driver that she was not alone, yet foreseeing the tragic outcome. At the time of the accident, which took place on 7th March 2023, Sr Keating resided in Castletroy, Limerick and had dedicated 50 years of her life to serving as a nun in Australia.
Christopher Keane, a 50-year-old farmer and contractor from Bella, Kilkee, testified that he saw Sr Keating’s car swerving on the road. The driver of the JCB tractor recounted that he slowed his vehicle and attempted to manoeuvre onto the verge, but knew that he was likely unable to avoid a collision with the Kia.
The act of raising the tractor’s shovel by three feet before the collision by Mr. Keane was commended by Bernard Keating, nephew to Sr Keating. If the shovel hadn’t been lifted, it could have led to catastrophic damage, possibly even the destruction of his relative, as indicated by Mr Keating. Sr Keating is remembered by her family as a loving and cautious individual. They have their questions surrounding the events that transpired on the stretch of road leading up to the unfortunate accident. Known for her careful driving habits, Sr Keating was 85, but appeared to be in her early seventies both physically and mentally, due to her vitality. As per the findings of the Garda report, no brake marks were evident at the scene of the collision. Clare County coroner Isobel O’Dea didn’t find any signs of Sr Cecilia suffering from either a stroke or cardiac incident before the impact. She suggests the possibility of a momentary lapse in concentration.