Case No. 2081Death (under investigation) · Co. Dublin
Coroner's court hears Dublin worker who fell at work died months later
Stewart Dowling, 44, from Lucan, Co Dublin, died in Connolly Hospital in March 2023 after attending the emergency department, having fallen at work several months earlier. The HSA could not link his death to a workplace fatality, but the coroner raised concerns and said she would follow up with gardaí before a full hearing.
- Reported14 Mar
- Arrestednot reported
- Chargednot reported
- In courtnot reported
- Convicted14 Mar
3 reports - Sentenced
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet
Key facts
consolidated from all reports44 statements extracted from the articles
- whatA 19-year-old pleaded guilty to murdering a man on a Dublin street in 2023. (irishtimes.com)
- whatAaron Keating was in his 40s and from Blanchardstown, and suffered serious wounds following an assault. (irishtimes.com)
- whatKeating was taken to Connolly Hospital in Blanchardstown where he was pronounced dead. (irishtimes.com)
- whatStewart Dowling was 44 years old and a father of three (irishtimes.com)
- whatHe told medical staff he had fallen at work several months prior (irishtimes.com)
- whatHe was employed by a subcontractor and worked on multiple sites, none of which reported a fall (irishtimes.com)
- whatThe exact time or location of the fall was not known when reported to gardaí (irishtimes.com)
- whatA 19-year-old man pleaded guilty to the murder of Aaron Keating. (irishmirror.ie)
- whatThe defendant was a child (under 18) when he committed the murder. (irishmirror.ie)
- whatAaron Keating was in his 40s and from Blanchardstown. (irishmirror.ie)
- whatAaron Keating was taken to Connolly Hospital in Blanchardstown where he was pronounced dead. (irishmirror.ie)
- whatNo injuries were reported but the playground was wrecked. (irishtimes.com)
- whatThe boy and another male got scrap and materials from a building site. (irishtimes.com)
- whatThey brought the materials to the playground where the boy set and fanned a fire causing significant damage. (irishtimes.com)
- whatPart of the playground structure had to be removed at a cost of €32,000. (irishtimes.com)
- whereThe murder occurred at Main Street, Ongar, Dublin 15. (irishtimes.com)
- whereStewart Dowling was from Lucan, Co Dublin (irishtimes.com)
- whereThe murder took place at Main Street, Ongar, Dublin 15. (irishmirror.ie)
- whereThe blaze broke out at Weaver Park, off Cork Street, in the south inner city. (irishtimes.com)
- whenThe murder of Aaron Keating took place on 13 June 2023. (irishtimes.com)
- whenStewart Dowling died in Connolly Hospital in March 2023 (irishtimes.com)
- whenThe murder occurred on 13 June 2023 at about 7pm. (irishmirror.ie)
- whenThe fire occurred on 9 October 2022. (irishtimes.com)
- investigationThe HSA investigation could not link his death to a workplace fatality (irishtimes.com)
- investigationA file had not been prepared for the DPP as the death could not be linked to a workplace fatality (irishtimes.com)
- chargeHe was accused of criminal damage to the playground structure. (irishtimes.com)
- courtProsecution senior counsel James Dwyer said the mandatory sentencing regime does not apply and a full sentencing hearing would be required. (irishtimes.com)
- courtMr Justice Tony Hunt remanded the defendant in custody until a sentencing hearing on 30 June. (irishtimes.com, irishmirror.ie)
- courtDefence counsel asked the judge to note his young age, educational reports and his letter of apology. (irishtimes.com)
- courtJudge Toale referred him to the Probation Service for a pre-sentence probation report. (irishtimes.com)
- courtThe case returns in April. (irishtimes.com)
- courtHis bail conditions include staying away from the incident area, remaining contactable, having no contact with a particular male, and refraining from possessing a lighter or matches. (irishtimes.com)
- courtLegal aid was granted. (irishtimes.com)
- otherA Supreme Court ruling means the defendant will not face a mandatory life sentence because he was a child when he committed the offence. (irishtimes.com, irishmirror.ie)
- otherThe defendant previously sought to halt proceedings because he faced a mandatory life sentence if convicted of murder. (irishtimes.com)
- otherFollowing a Supreme Court ruling, judges now have discretion when sentencing a person who committed murder while a child. (irishtimes.com)
- otherThe defendant had no convictions at the time of the murder. (irishtimes.com)
- otherThe defendant can no longer be named due to a Supreme Court decision overturning a Court of Appeal judgement. (irishmirror.ie)
- otherThe defendant had no previous convictions at the time of the murder. (irishmirror.ie)
- otherThe teenager has no prior convictions. (irishtimes.com)
- otherHe cannot be identified as he is a minor. (irishtimes.com)
- otherGarda Christine Kelly said the boy made no reply when charged. (irishtimes.com)
- otherThe teenager has not been in trouble since the alleged incident. (irishtimes.com)
- otherHis alleged accomplice is still before the court awaiting his hearing. (irishtimes.com)
The reporting
newest first- 14 Mar2025Boy (12) started fire and ‘fanned’ flames, causing €32,000 playground damage, court hears
Boy pleaded guilty; referred to Probation Service for pre-sentence report; case returns in April; alleged accomplice still awaiting his hearing; bail conditions include no contact with a particular male and no possession of a lighter or matches.
convicted, 15, maleaccused, male - 14 Mar2025Teen pleads guilty to Dublin street murder of Aaron Keating
Reports the guilty plea, the Supreme Court ruling removing the mandatory life sentence for a child who committed murder, the defendant's anonymity, and the remand until sentencing on 30 June 2025.
victim, Aaron Keating, 40s, male, irish (judged from name)Aaron Keatingaccused, 19, male - 14 Mar2025Man who did not report work fall or seek medical help died months later, coroner’s court hears
Coroner's court sitting at Dublin District Coroner's Court; HSA investigation found no link to workplace fatality; coroner Dr Cróna Gallagher raised concerns about the cause of death and will follow up with gardaí and medical staff before a full hearing is scheduled.
victim, Stewart Dowling, 44, male, irish (judged from name)Stewart Dowling - 14 Mar2025Teen (19) pleads guilty to murdering man on Dublin street
The 19-year-old defendant pleaded guilty; a Supreme Court ruling means no mandatory life sentence as he was a child at the time of the offence; remanded until sentencing on 30 June 2025; defence says he had no prior convictions.
victim, Aaron Keating, 40s, male, irish (judged from name)Aaron Keatingaccused, 19, male