Courts / Kildare / Report

M50 crash accused could have been 'in and out of consciousness', expert tells trial

Date
2023-11-16

Stage
Trial

Primary locality
Kildare

County
Kildare

Summary

In a trial at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court, Gerry Daly, 57, pleaded not guilty to dangerous driving causing the death of Jacqueline Griffin, 39, in a fatal M50 collision on 24 January 2019. Sergeant Patrick McElroy, a forensic collision investigator, presented evidence that Daly's Toyota Auris had been travelling at 138‑151 km/h, struck a Scania lorry, then collided with Griffin's VW Polo, causing her head to be severed. McElroy's report detailed the sequence of impacts and the vehicle's continued movement. Garda Aidan McHugh testified that Daly had a voluntary interview on 28 January, described checking his blood sugar, and had a phone call at 10:30 am that morning. Professor Simon Heller, a diabetes specialist, testified that Daly's glucose levels fell from 9.3 to 3.3 mmol/L during the morning, potentially causing hypoglycaemic episodes and "in and out of consciousness." The trial continues before Judge Elma Sheahan.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: M50 crash accused could have been 'in and out of consciousness', expert tells trial. Charges or matters: dangerous driving causing the death of Jacqueline Griffin (39) at junction five of the M50 on January 24, 2019; dangerous driving causing death. Procedural stage: trial

When:

January 24, 2019 Incident
December 17, 2019 Other
2023-11-16 Publication

Case subjects

Gerry Daly

Defendant

Charges: dangerous driving causing the death of Jacqueline Griffin (39) at junction five of the M50 on January 24, 2019; dangerous driving causing death (Alleged Or Contested)

Plea: Not guilty