In March of last year, five family members lost their lives when their car became submerged in the waters of Lough Swilly in County Donegal.
The car they were travelling in plunged into the water, killing all passengers but one.
The inquest into the tragedy began yesterday morning.
Louise James arrives in #Buncrana for inquest into deaths of her 2 sons, partner, mother & sister in #pier tragedy pic.twitter.com/n2d4WvHU39
— EileenMagnier (@EileenMagnier) November 22, 2017
It was heard that Sean McGrotty, the driver of the car and father to three of the passengers, had a blood alcohol level of 159mg.
This is three times over the legal limit of 50mg.
Pathologist Dr Catriona Dillon said that Mr McGrotty's level may indicate a state of intoxication, she said, according to RTE.
However, she stated that she could not judge how this level would have impacted Mr McGrotty as each individual is different.
It was heard that the pier was coated with a thick and slippery coat of algae.
The inquest will continue this morning, with a verdict and recommendations expected this afternoon.
