David Byrne denies dangerous driving causing death charge

This report is a localnews.ie summary based on public court reporting and records; sources are listed below.

David Byrne denies dangerous driving causing the death of Patricia Dunne at Collins Avenue East, Killester, Dublin, on 16 October 2015. He has pleaded not guilty to dishonestly inducing the National Driving Licence Service to issue him with a driving licence on 30 September 2014. He also denies making a false or misleading statement while taking out insurance on 16 September 2015.

Dublin Circuit Criminal Court heard that Dunne was walking home with a shopping trolley when a van slowed to let her cross the road, but a car driven by Byrne hit her. She died later in hospital. The report said Byrne was not speeding, had not been drinking and did not disobey any traffic signals.

Optometrist Aengus Morrin told the court that, during eye tests in June 2012, Byrne said he did not drive. Morrin said Byrne’s central vision was normal, but his peripheral vision was very poor.

A letter dated 9 December 1997 from ophthalmologist Dr Paul Kenna stated that he had strongly advised Byrne against driving. Defence counsel Michael O’Higgins said Byrne did not recall that conversation and claimed his consultant, Hugh Cassidy, had told him he could keep driving until he was able. Kenna said that advice would not surprise him, although it would not have been his own. He agreed Byrne would have passed a driving test in 1997, but would not pass one at the time of the trial.

The proceedings were reported on 9 March 2018. The trial was continuing before Judge Patricia Ryan, with closing speeches due.