Inquest into helicopter crash that killed Lord Ballyedmond and others to open

An inquest into the death of a peer and leading Irish industrialist and three other men who died in a helicopter crash is due to open.
By The Newsroom
Published 12th Jan 2016, 08:30 BST
Updated 12th Jan 2016, 08:43 BST
Press Eye - Belfast - Northern Ireland - 13th March 2104 File picture of The Right Honourable Lord Ballyedmond OBE (Edward Haughey) during his visit to Southern Regional College in Newry on Thursday 29 November 2012 to view the new state of the art Science facilities and unveil a plaque in his honour. Picture by Kelvin Boyes / Press EyePress Eye - Belfast - Northern Ireland - 13th March 2104 File picture of The Right Honourable Lord Ballyedmond OBE (Edward Haughey) during his visit to Southern Regional College in Newry on Thursday 29 November 2012 to view the new state of the art Science facilities and unveil a plaque in his honour. Picture by Kelvin Boyes / Press Eye
Press Eye - Belfast - Northern Ireland - 13th March 2104 File picture of The Right Honourable Lord Ballyedmond OBE (Edward Haughey) during his visit to Southern Regional College in Newry on Thursday 29 November 2012 to view the new state of the art Science facilities and unveil a plaque in his honour. Picture by Kelvin Boyes / Press Eye

Self-made multi-millionaire Lord Ballyedmond was killed in March 2013 when the helicopter came down shortly after take-off in foggy conditions near the estate he owned in Gillingham, Norfolk.

Also known as Dr Edward Haughey, the 70-year-old businessman, who lived in Co Down, was considered to be one of Ireland’s richest men, with estimated wealth in excess of £800 million.

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Best known as chairman and founder of Norbrook Laboratories, the largest privately-owned pharmaceutical company in the world, the father-of-three had a range of other business interests.

Declan Small, who was killed with three other people including renowned Newry entrepreneur and peer Edward Haughey, Lord BallyedmondDeclan Small, who was killed with three other people including renowned Newry entrepreneur and peer Edward Haughey, Lord Ballyedmond
Declan Small, who was killed with three other people including renowned Newry entrepreneur and peer Edward Haughey, Lord Ballyedmond

A life peer with a seat in the House of Lords, first on behalf of the Ulster Unionist Party before switching to the Conservative Party, Dr Haughey had also previously sat in the upper house of the Republic of Ireland’s parliament, the Seanad.

Declan Small, 42, Dr Haughey’s site foreman at the Norbrook plant in Newry, also died in the crash.

Helicopter pilots Captain Carl Dickerson, 36, and Captain Lee Hoyle, 45, were also killed when the Agusta Westland AW139 came down in a field.

A jury inquest, expected to last up to four days, is due to open in Norwich on Tuesday.

Related topics:Ulster Unionist PartyHouse of LordsGillingham