Courts / Kildare / Report

Accused told optometrist he did not drive years before fatal collision, trial hears

Date
2018-03-08

Stage
Trial

Primary locality
Kildare

County
Kildare

Summary

In a Dublin Circuit Criminal Court hearing, 42‑year‑old postman David Byrne denied dangerous driving that caused the death of 70‑year‑old Patricia Dunne on 16 October 2015. He also pleaded not guilty to dishonestly inducing the National Driving Licence Service to issue a licence on 30 September 2014 and to making a false statement on insurance. Byrne claimed he had not driven at the time of the fatal collision, had not been speeding, had not drunk, and had obeyed traffic signals. An optometrist, Aengus Morrin, testified that Byrne had Usher Syndrome, diagnosed in 1997, and that his peripheral vision was "very, very poor – almost non‑existent". Dr Paul Kenna, a clinical ophthalmologist, confirmed the diagnosis and noted that Byrne had been advised against driving in daylight or at night. The trial continues with closing arguments pending.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Accused told optometrist he did not drive years before fatal collision, trial hears. Charges or matters: dishonestly inducing the National Driving Licence Service (NDLS) to issue him with a driving licence on September 30, 2014. Procedural stage: trial

When:

October 16, 2015 Incident
September 30, 2014 Hearing Or Sentence
September 16, 2015 Hearing Or Sentence
June 2012 Hearing Or Sentence
December 1997 Hearing Or Sentence
December 9, 1997 Hearing Or Sentence
2018-03-08 Publication

Case subjects

Unnamed accused

Accused

Charges: dishonestly inducing the National Driving Licence Service (NDLS) to issue him with a driving licence on September 30, 2014 (Alleged Or Contested)

Plea: Not guilty