Courts / Dublin / Report

Fatal M50 crash accused 'not in position to control decision to drive,' defence say

Date
2023-11-21

Stage
Trial

Primary locality
Dublin

County
Dublin

Summary

In a Dublin Circuit Criminal Court hearing, Gerry Daly, 57, pleaded not guilty to dangerous driving causing the death of Jacqueline Griffin on the M50. Defence counsel Roderick O'Hanlon argued that Daly was in an autonomous condition due to severe hypoglycaemia from his long‑term diabetes, claiming he could not consciously control his driving. O'Hanlon cited medical evidence of low blood glucose impairing brain function and described Daly as unaware of his surroundings. Prosecutor Garnet Orange countered that the automatism defence was unsuitable, noting Daly's knowledge of his condition and failure to take precautions. The jury heard a post‑mortem report stating Griffin died from catastrophic head injuries after her car was struck from the rear, CCTV footage, eyewitness accounts of a fast‑moving vehicle, and Dr Kevin Moore's expert testimony on Daly's impaired cognition. The case remains at the jury's deliberation stage.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Fatal M50 crash accused 'not in position to control decision to drive,' defence say. Charges or matters: dangerous driving causing the death of Jacqueline Griffin at junction five of the M50 on January 24, 2019. Procedural stage: trial

When:

January 24, 2019 Hearing Or Sentence
2023-11-21 Publication

Why: He explained that the defence requires a "complete loss of control" and said that you can't avoid criminal responsibility when you have "failed to do something that may have avoided the danger to somebody else. Defence account reported by CNI