took all of the precautions she could, an inquest has heard.

Acting Coroner Justin Williams yesterday ruled that little Cormac O'Donnell drowned by accident on June 19 this year, after his mother Debbie latched but did not lock two gates leading to the family swimming pool at Between the Walls, Pembroke.

Forensic Pathologist John Oladapo Obafunwa found that the two-year-old died as a result of a relatively rare case of dry drowning with no suspicious circumstances.

Dry drowning occurs in a minority of drownings when the epiglottis shuts off the windpipe as a reflex action.

Irishwoman Debbie O'Donnell told Police in the days after the incident she was taking her two boys to the pool when she heard her cell phone ring.

She had left it on an outdoor table and while she talked to her travel agent and family friend, Cormac played with washing she had put on a clothesline, trying to take them down.

After a short time, her agent heard her say to Cormac: "Cormy, no! Don't pull the clothes down''.

The woman on the other end of the line, Pauline Callanan, told Police she heard some talk "back and forth'' between Mrs. O'Donnell and "sweet and quiet'' Cormac, before the mother said: "Go play, love.'' Their conversation continued until there was a distracted pause from Mrs.

O'Donnell who then dropped the cell phone.

She would work frantically to save her son's life until a neighbour and paramedics arrived.

All involved worked intensively on Cormac including up to four doctors.

P.c. Shannell Mello said her investigation revealed Cormac had learned how to open the gate by watching his parents, that Mrs. O'Donnell was an "exemplary'' mother and that prosecution was not warranted.

A verdict of accidental death was recorded.