Courts / Dublin / Report

Truck driver broke red light and killed pedestrian (21)

Date
2020-06-12

Stage
Sentence

Primary locality
Swords

County
Dublin

Summary

In a Dublin Circuit Criminal Court hearing, truck driver Prince Aibangbe (51) pleaded guilty to dangerous driving causing the death of 21‑year‑old Gerard Whyte on 31 May 2019. Aibangbe claimed he believed he had hit a kerb after mistakenly thinking a green filter light was on, but was later informed by his boss that dash‑cam footage showed he had driven through a red light at the Swords Road/Collins Avenue junction. Witnesses, including a bus driver and a truck driver, confirmed the truck broke the red light and that Whyte was crossing as the green man appeared. Aibangbe had nine prior convictions, including four for road traffic offences, and had recently been fined €400 for driving without insurance and failing to display an NCT. He expressed remorse, wrote a letter to the court, and asked the Whyte family for forgiveness.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Truck driver broke red light and killed pedestrian (21). Charges or matters: dangerous driving causing the death of Mr Whyte at the Swords Road on May 31, 2019. Procedural stage: sentence

When:

May 31, 2019 Hearing Or Sentence
Wednesday, June 17 Adjournment
2020-06-12 Publication

Why: Gda Jordan agreed with Mr Dwyer that Aibangbe had been entitled to be in the lane in order to turn left. CNI source report

Case subjects

Prince Aibangbe

Defendant

Charges: dangerous driving causing the death of Mr Whyte at the Swords Road on May 31, 2019 (Admitted)

Plea: Guilty

Outcome: The heartbroken family of Mr Whyte told Judge Pauline Codd: "Our life sentence started on May 31, 2019 and will last for the rest of our lives." His parents, Julie and Gerard, described in their victim impact statement how Gerard, a Liverpool supporter, was a beloved son, brother and grandson with a wide network of friends.; Judge Codd adjourned the case until next Wednesday, June 17, to allow certain matters to be clarified and to allow colour photographs of the scene to be supplied to the court.