Courts / Kildare / Report

Driver on trial over fatal M5O crash didn't make 'conscious decision to drive', expert tells jury

Date
2023-11-20

Stage
Trial

Primary locality
Naas

County
Kildare

Summary

In the trial of Gerry Daly, 57, who pleaded not guilty to dangerous driving causing the death of Jacqueline Griffin on the M50, Dr Kevin Moore, a consultant endocrinologist, testified that Daly did not make a conscious decision to drive that day. Dr Moore explained that Daly, who has Type 1 diabetes, had been managing his condition for over ten years and had self‑funded a continuous glucose monitor. He argued that Daly's blood glucose levels were severely low, leading to hypoglycaemic symptoms such as confusion and disorientation. According to Dr Moore, this severe cognitive impairment meant Daly could not understand or control his actions, including driving. He further noted that Daly's recollection of the morning would be unreliable and that his behaviour after the crash was abnormal, reflecting his impaired state. The trial continues before Judge Elma Sheahan and the jury.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Driver on trial over fatal M5O crash didn't make 'conscious decision to drive', expert tells jury. Charges or matters: dangerous driving causing the death of Jacqueline Griffin (39) at junction five of the M50 on January 24, 2019. Procedural stage: trial

When:

January 24, 2019 Hearing Or Sentence
February 2019 Hearing Or Sentence
2023-11-20 Publication

Why: He said the defendant would have been "confused" and "disorientated" which reflected a "severe cognitive impairment" because there was "not enough glucose" in the brain. CNI source report