Man to stand trial in Wicklow over death of Kildare father-of-two John Maher
The Wicklow PeopleA Wicklow resident has been sent forward for trial on a charge of dangerous driving causing death
Tarieli Schatz (37), of the Grand Hotel, Abbey Street, Wicklow town, Co. Wicklow, appeared before a sitting of Bray District Court for the service of a book of evidence and a renewed bail application.
Mr Schatz, who was originally charged with careless driving causing the death of John Maher, is now being sent forward for trial on a charge of dangerous driving causing death, which carries a potential sentence of up to 10 years imprisonment and a mandatory four-year driving ban.
Mr Maher a father-of-two, from Co. Kildare, was fatally injured when he was struck by a Thwaites front dumper on July 2, 2025. Members of his family were present in court.
The book of evidence was served on Mr Schatz at Bray District Court, where Judge David Kennedy issued the accused with an alibi warning, telling him through his Georgian interpreter: “If you intend to rely on an alibi at trial, you must notify the prosecution within 14 days of today.”
Judge Kennedy sent the defendant forward for trial at a special sitting of Wicklow Circuit Criminal Court on December 15, 2025.
Eoin Gallagher BL, counsel for the accused, instructed by Micheál O’Connor, told the court that he was seeking alterations to the bail conditions previously granted by the High Court.
The High Court granted bail on conditions, including a bond of €5,000, with €2,500 to be paid. An independent surety of €7,000 was also required, with €5,000 to be lodged.
Defence counsel informed the court that such sums represented a significant amount of money in Ireland, but an even greater amount in the accused’s home country of Georgia. The court was told that, had Mr Schatz been an Irish citizen, he would already have been granted bail.
Sergeant Mick Canavan objected, remarking that he had spoken to State solicitor Brian Robinson and that under no circumstances would the State accept altered bail conditions, due to the alleged incident causing the death of a human being.
At a previous hearing, the court heard that Mr Schatz is a Georgian national who had been living in an IPAS centre and has a child outside the jurisdiction in Austria.