A preliminary hearing into the 28-year-old boxer’s death took place today
John Cooney(Image: Matthew Pover/Matchroom)
The inquest into the death of John Cooney hopes to “examine the systems designed to protect boxers” his family’s legal representation has said.
A preliminary hearing into the 28-year-old’s death took place on Wednesday, May 6, at Belfast’s Laganside Court ahead of a full inquest which is hoped to take place next year. Evidence still needs to be submitted from a number of parties that will be involved in the inquest.
Mr Cooney died as a result of injuries he sustained during a boxing match at the Ulster Hall on February 1, 2025. The bout was stopped in the ninth round when he was taken for emergency surgery at the Royal Victoria Hospital after suffering an intracranial haemorrhage.
His father, Hugh Cooney is being represented at the inquest by Barry O’Donnell of KRW Law LLP, instructed with counsel Karen Quinlivan KC and Mark Basset BL.
At the hearing the coroner considered submissions relating to the scope of the inquest, including whether it should examine the regulatory and safety framework governing professional boxing, and whether the State’s obligations under Article 2 of the European Convention on Human Rights may be engaged.
Barry O’Donnell of KRW Law, representing the Cooney family, said: “John Cooney lost his life after participating in a sport that is inherently dangerous and tightly regulated. His family are entitled to a full, fair and fearless investigation into the circumstances of his death. The purpose of this inquest is to establish the relevant facts and examine whether the systems designed to protect boxers are adequate and effective in practice.
This process is crucial not only for John’s family, but for the safety of others participating in the sport.”
The next preliminary hearing will take place on June 29, 2026.
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