Louth teenager Kofi Jackson Owusu drowned after jumping off a bridge, inquest told

A 15-year-old youth drowned after he jumped off the footbridge at the Nanny River in Laytown, Co Meath with a friend last Summer, an inquest has been told.

Kofi Jackson Owusu of Rockfield Court, Dundalk did not resurface after the dive on 20th June 2025.

Garda Enda Keogh told the inquest conducted by Meath County Coroner Nathaniel Lacy at Trim Courthouse that he was the driver of a patrol car with Garda Cathal Hughes when they got a call at 6.20pm when they receive a report of a young male having jumped off the footbridge.

At the scene he met a youth who told him that he and his friend Kofi jumped off the bridge but Kofi had not resurfaced as he had collided with him as he himself had landed in the water.

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The Garda said that the Coastguard were at the scene and were searching the coastline along with Rescue 116 helicopter.

A number of people on kayaks had made their way up the river to help in the search.

He said that he was approached by a woman who said she had a video of the incident on her phone. He subsequently seized the phone and took a statement from her.

The Garda Sub Aqua Unit was mobilised along with Boyne Fishermen Rescue and Recovery.

At approximately 20.55 hours the Coastguard boat recovered Kofi’s body, the inquest heard.

Advanced paramedic Paul Ruigrok checked the body but could not find signs of life.

Garda Keogh said that Deputy Coroner for Meath Donna Kerrigan was contacted and she gave permission for the body to be removed from the scene.

At 21.53 Patience Aigbirmhon identified the body of her nephew. He then escorted the remains of the youth to Navan mortuary.

In reply to the coroner the Garda said that there had been no prosecution following the incident. He said there was nothing suspicious about the incident and that it was a “tragic accident”.

Consultant pathologist Professor Muna Sabah who carried out a post mortem said her findings was that Kofi had died from drowning. There were no external injuries on the body, she said.

The coroner returned a verdict of accidental death.

He said that Kofi’s death was “an absolute tragedy” for Kofi’s family. He was a young man on the cusp of his life at 15 years old “and it all happened in a minute”.

On his own behalf and that of the deputy coroner Ms Kerrigan he extended his condolences to the family. They were joined in extending their sympathy by Garda Inspector Alan Roughneen.