Suicide victim 'had killed child'

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A 22-year-old man from County Tyrone hanged himself just hours after he had knocked down and killed a three-year-old, an inquest has heard.

Jonathan Montgomery was found dead at a quarry near Donemana in December 2004.

His car had mounted the pavement at Allen Park in the village and struck Adam Mullan and his mother.

The hearing into Mr Montgomery's death was told his ex-lover was also standing on the pavement and that he had been involved in a dispute with her.

It is understood the dispute had been over the parentage of her unborn child.

Neighbour Jock Hepburn, who saw the incident which took place on Boxing Day, said: "(Mr Montgomery) mounted the pavement at the top of the estate and drove down towards her (his former partner).

Mr Montgomery's body was discovered in a nearby quarry

"I heard an almighty thump and I heard Montgomery handbrake the car at the bottom of the road and drive off at high speed."

Mr Montgomery's best friend, Mark Nicholl, told the hearing which was sitting in Strabane that he had contacted the 22-year-old driver on his mobile phone after the incident had taken place.

"He said he was up at Riddell's Quarry and that he had got the rope up in the shed and asked if the wee boy was dead. I said he was," he said.

He said Mr Montgomery had added that he was sorry for what he had done.

Deputy Coroner Suzanne Anderson said the case was a "double tragedy" for both families.

The inquest found that Mr Montgomery's death was caused by hanging.