Courts / Cavan / Report
State appeals ruling that man charged with dangerous driving causing death is unfit for trial
Summary
The Director of Public Prosecutions has appealed a Circuit Criminal Court ruling that a man charged with dangerous driving causing death is unfit to stand trial. Robert Harrison, aged 25, from Shantonagh in Monaghan, faces charges relating to a collision at Drung, Cootehill, County Cavan in November 2009, in which a 19-year-old passenger died and another passenger was seriously injured. Judge Pauline Codd determined in July 2014 that Mr Harrison was not fit to be tried. The DPP's counsel argued before the Court of Appeal that psychiatric evidence supported Mr Harrison's fitness to proceed if special trial provisions were implemented, including regular recaps of evidence. Defence counsel contended the DPP sought to create an unprecedented trial arrangement and that Mr Harrison remains unfit due to brain damage sustained in an earlier accident. The Court of Appeal, comprising Justices George Birmingham, Garrett Sheehan, and John Edwards, reserved judgement.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: State appeals ruling that man charged with dangerous driving causing death is unfit for trial. Charges or matters: dangerous driving causing the death of his 19-year-old passenger Nicola Roberts and serious bodily harm to another passenger in a crash at Drung, Cootehill, County Cavan on November 11, 2009. Procedural stage: appeal
When:
- November 11, 2009 Incident
- July 14, 2014 Incident
- January 2009 Incident
- March 2010 Hearing Or Sentence
- 2016-01-25 Publication
Case subjects
Appellant
Charges: dangerous driving causing the death of his 19-year-old passenger Nicola Roberts and serious bodily harm to another passenger in a crash at Drung, Cootehill, County Cavan on November 11, 2009 (Alleged Or Contested)
Places mentioned
- Circuit Criminal Court
- Court of Appeal
Topics
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