Pressure mounts to hold Rome driver in custody

PRESSURE was growing yesterday for Italian officials to place in custody the son of a former police chief accused of causing the deaths of two Irish women as they celebrated St Patrick’s Day.

As lawyers argued over whether to lock up Friedrich Vernarelli while the investigation continues, the accused man’s father said he was hoping to meet the family of the two victims to apologise in person.

The deaths have reignited debate in Italy over the number of road accidents every year and allegations that the courts do not take a tough enough stance against offenders.