Search for hydration expert under way ahead of inquest into boxer’s death

By Rebecca Black, Press Association

Work is ongoing to find a hydration expert to help an inquest probe the sudden death of an Irish boxer following a fight in Belfast last year.

Former Celtic super-featherweight title holder John Cooney, 28, from Galway, died a week after suffering a head injury in a fight at the Ulster Hall in February 2025.

He was treated at the Royal Victoria Hospital for an intracranial haemorrhage, also known as a bleed on the brain.

His family, represented by KRW Law, said his death raises “profound concerns about safety practices” in the sport, and want to see the probe examine safety regulations.

They have expressed hope the case would prompt Article 2 of the European Convention on Human Rights so the state ensures adequate laws and regulatory frameworks where life-threatening activities are permitted.

The British Boxing Board of Control (BBBoC) and referee Darren Sarginson are set to be properly interested parties in the proceedings, as well as Cooney’s family.

A preliminary hearing at Belfast Coroner’s Court on Monday morning heard about preparations for the inquest, including the search for someone qualified to assess the impact of hydration in terms of Cooney making the weight for his fight.

It also heard an update on progress around disclosure of material, including footage from the BBC and medical records.

Cooney’s father Hugh watched via video link during the brief hearing on Monday morning as Coroner Anne-Louise Toal issued a formal direction to the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) to respond to requests in terms of disclosure, noting they had been “written to a number of times”.

Toal also heard that work is underway on identifying expert witnesses to give evidence to the inquest.

This includes working to find a hydration expert.

Toal suggested that a neurological pathologist may be qualified in assist in this respect, but the matter is being kept under review.

Barrister Mark Bassett, acting for Cooney’s family, said they are also having difficulty in assessing an expert in terms of hydration.

Toal expressed hope for progress in terms of disclosure over the summer months, and set the date for the next preliminary hearing for September 25th.