The deaths of all five people who drowned in the Buncrana pier tragedy have been ruled as death by misadventure.

A two-day inquest into the deaths made the ruling, which differs from death by accident in that some element of risk was introduced.

It comes after almost two days of evidence at the inquest into the deaths of five members of the one family when their car entered the water in County Donegal.

The drownings of all five people killed in the Buncrana Pier tragedy have been ruled as death by misadventure at an inquest today

— Sean Defoe (@SeanDefoe) November 23, 2017

The coroner involved said that describing the tragedy as terrible and devastating for the family didn't even begin to describe it.

A recommendation was also made that Irish Water Safety take a permanent consultation role with the different bodies around the country who deal with water safety when it comes to piers and slipways. 

Sean Defoe is at the inquest, and spoke after the verdict delivered on the death of driver Sean McGrotty:

Earlier today, the CEO of Irish Water Safety recommended that tools for breaking the window of a car be included with every car sold.

John Leech made the point that a tool which could cut seatbelts and break windows could be bought cheaply and included in cars.

He said it may help people to escape from a car should they become trapped after entering the water.

It's something the jury here will have to consider when they make recommendations later

They've also heard technical testimony from Audi Ireland who say the doors of Sean McGrotty's car should have opened even if they were in the water.

However, the diver who first saw the car after it sank said he could not open the doors when he tried underwater.