Slane man extradited to Australia

A County Meath man has been extradited to Australia to face charges over a 2007 car crash in Perth in which two people were killed.

Eamonn Driver (31) from Slane appeared before Perth Magistrates Court today, charged with two counts of dangerous driving, causing death.

Colm Reilly from Slane and Kiara Duncan from Kentstown, Navan, both aged in their early 20s, died in the crash in the Perth suburb of Bedford on 31st October 2007.

Australian Police allege Driver lost control of the car on Halloween night. The small hatchback careered across the median strip, flipped onto its roof and collided with an oncoming car being driven by a 63-year-old woman, who escaped the crash without serious injury.

Eamonn Driver returned home before being charged with any offence but he was subsequently charged by summons with two counts of dangerous driving, occasioning death. A warrant was issued when he failed to appear in court in 2009.

Police pursued his extradition and Minister for Justice Alan Shatter ordered Driver to surrender to Australian authorities last month.

He was extradited to Perth this week before today's court appearance and he is due to appear again on 28th August.