Courts / Dublin / Report

Court upholds bus driver's conviction for causing death of cyclist

Date
2021-10-19

Stage
Appeal

Primary locality
Dublin

County
Dublin

Summary

The Court of Appeal has upheld the conviction of Osborn Irabor for careless driving causing the death of cyclist Mary White on November 17, 2014. Irabor, aged 60 from French Park, Tyrrelstown, Dublin, was originally convicted following a two-day trial at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court in October 2018 and disqualified from driving for four years. He had pleaded not guilty to the charge. His appeal centred on claims that the trial judge had not adequately explained legal terminology to the jury in accessible language during a re-charge following their request for clarification. The Court of Appeal, in a judgment delivered by Mr Justice John Edwards, rejected these arguments, finding the verdict was properly supported by evidence. The court noted that the prosecution had presented clear evidence that Irabor's double-decker bus cut the corner when turning at a T junction on Burlington Road, Dublin, striking Ms White and causing her death from head injuries two days later.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Court upholds bus driver's conviction for causing death of cyclist. Charges or matters: careless driving causing the death of Mary White (55) on November 17, 2014. Procedural stage: appeal

When:

November 17, 2014 Hearing Or Sentence
October 2018 Hearing Or Sentence
November 2018 Incident
2021-10-19 Publication

Why: "There has to be particular regard for cyclists because of their vulnerability," he said. CNI source report

Case subjects

Osborn Irabor

Appellant

Charges: careless driving causing the death of Mary White (55) on November 17, 2014 (Alleged Or Contested)

Plea: Not guilty

Outcome: At Irabor's sentence hearing in November 2018, Peg White, from Co Meath, said suggestions during the trial that her daughter was at fault were hard on the family, though she accepted defence lawyers were doing their job.