File sent to DPP on bus crash that killed five schoolgirls

GARDAÍ have sent a file to the Director of Public Prosecutions who may decide to bring criminal charges in relation to the bus crash which killed five Co Meath school girls last May.

The detailed file outlining the garda investigation was submitted in the past week, a senior garda confirmed yesterday. However, no details were available about the type of charges which could be brought or who might be prosecuted.

The garda inquiry team has spoken to the driver of the Bus Éireann school bus at least twice in relation to the accident in which more than 40 pupils were injured. It happened on a wet stretch of road at Kentstown, which had been undergoing resurfacing work, as students were being brought home from second level schools in Navan.

The bus collided with two cars, whose drivers were also interviewed by gardaí as part of their investigation.

It also emerged yesterday that the report of an independent inquiry being carried out for Bus Éireann, headed by former Assistant Garda Commissioner Jim McHugh, has yet to be submitted, despite indications last month that it would be ready by the end of September.

“The report is being finalised at the moment. My understanding is that it is due out shortly,” a Bus Éireann spokesperson said.

The committee of inquiry reported six weeks ago that it had made substantial progress but that it needed more time to complete the investigation, which had initially been expected to conclude in early August.

A separate investigation into the tragedy was also initiated by the Health and Safety Authority (HSA) and is understood to be ongoing. The HSA has powers to bring prosecutions if it finds there were any breaches of health and safety legislation.

Meanwhile, Minister of State Síle de Valera, who has responsibility for school transport, said improvements to the service are well on target. The Government announced the measures in July in an effort to increase safety on the bus fleet which carries around 140,000 school children every day.

Ms de Valera said 216 extra buses had been brought onto the service already and tenders for the fitting of seatbelts and the supply of more buses were being processed quickly, with a view to signing contracts within weeks.

“We are on target to end the traditional ‘three for two’ seating arrangement for post-primary students by the end of December and for all passengers by the end of next year,” she told an Oireachtas committee this week.