Man appears in court over fatal dumper incident as investigation continues
The Wicklow PeopleA man has appeared at Bray District Court facing several charges, including one of dangerous driving that led to a man’s death. Gardaí say the case is still under investigation and involves many witnesses.
Tarieli Schatz (37), of the Grand Hotel, Abbey Street, Wicklow town, Co. Wicklow, appeared before Bray District Court facing seven charges for various offences.
It is alleged that on April 16, 2025, he was found in possession of a controlled drug in the car park of the Grand Hotel in Wicklow town. Mr Schatz is also charged with multiple road traffic offenses.
In a more serious matter, he is charged that on July 2, 2025, he allegedly drove a Thwaites front dumper without due care and attention, thereby causing the death of another person, namely John Maher, a married father-of-two who was living in Co. Kildare at the time of the incident.
Sergeant Anthony Flynn told the court that they are still awaiting directions on the more serious charges. Judge David Kennedy informed him that if directions are still unavailable at the next date, he would make it pre-entry against the state.
The court was informed that gardaí are still actively investigating the case. As of August, 38 witnesses had been identified, and that number may have increased since. The investigation is ongoing and involves matters outside the usual jurisdiction, making it a “complex case”.
The court heard that Mr Schatz is still awaiting a new High Court date to try to get his cash surety lowered.
Judge Kennedy put Mr Schatz in for mention on a date in November.