Garda cleared of dangerous driving following Slane village collision

A NAVAN based Garda was cleared of dangerous driving following an accident involving a Garda car and an Audi car in Slane village, the driver of which was allegedly disqualified at the time.

The collision took place 15 months ago when Garda Sean McDonagh (22) was driving through Slane at about 9pm returning to Navan Station with a female colleague as an observer, Trim District Court heard on Thursday last.

The colleague recalled that they had attended the A&E in Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital which they left at 8.45pm. She said the blue lights were activated on the Garda vehicle.

They passed through the junction in the middle of the village. She wasn’t paying a lot of attention when she heard the defendant exclaim “oh f**k”

She saw a car in front, more or less perpendicular. Within seconds the Garda vehicle collided with the Audi vehicle.

A sergeant who went to the scene at the main street said that both drivers passed road side alcohol tests.

Garda McDonagh provided a statement in which he said the other vehicle without warning veered right as he was overtaking. In his opinion the other driver was attempting a U-turn.

It was stated that there was video footage which indicated there was an indicator on the other vehicle.

Replying to defence barrister, James O’Brien, the sergeant said initially the other driver indicated he was stationary.

Mr O’Brien put it to the sergeant that she ascertained that the driver was disqualified at the time.

The sergeant said the driver changed his story and said that he was turning. She said that she obtained CCTV footage. It couldn’t be determined when the indicator was on on the other vehicle.

The sergeant said she couldn’t obtain a statement from the other driver.

Mr O’Brien pointed out to Judge McKiernan that the two occupants of the other vehicle were not in court, and the court could not be satisfied the indicator on it was on immediately prior to the accident.

Mr O’Brien applied for the charge to be dismissed. Judge McKiernan said she was not satisfied that what she was presented with in evidence amounted to dangerous driving.

- Funded by the Courts Reporting Scheme