Trial begins over deaths of garda and fireman

A GARDA and a firefighter were killed instantly when an apprentice carpenter driving with excess alcohol ploughed into them while they attended an accident scene, Limerick Circuit Court heard.

The court heard the prosecution’s case of how Niall Shannon, who faces a number of motoring charges, was travelling so fast that when he crashed into his victims, Garda Brian Kelleher was propelled a distance of 30 metres by the impact. Firefighter Mike Liston was thrown into the air and ended up in a wall. Both men died at the scene.

Shannon, aged 20, of Lenamore, Ballylongford, Co Kerry has pleaded not guilty to dangerous driving causing the death of Garda Kelleher, aged 46, and Mr Liston, aged 47, at Barrigone, Askeaton on February 25, 2007.

He also denies driving over the drink limit and with driving with two worn tyres.

Garda Kelleher lived at Clogheen, Bruree and was stationed in Croom. Mr Liston lived in Foynes and was attached to the local fire brigade.

Prosecuting counsel, John O’Kelly, SC said there would be evidence of the most dangerous driving one could possibly conceive.

He said Shannon ignored efforts to flag down his car 130 metres from the scene when a fireman stood out in the middle of the road waving an illuminated stick.

Mr O’Kelly said the fatal accident occurred at about 5.10am on February 25, 2007 at Barrigone, half way between Askeaton and Foynes. The emergency services had been called to an earlier accident which happened at about 4.25am.

This was a single car incident involving a Toyota driven by a woman. The Toyota was overturned and when gardaí and firefighters got to the scene they put flashing lights on the roadway at either side of the scene so that traffic coming from Askeaton and Foynes would be warned.

As the Toyota was being righted to be put on a low loader, one firefighter stood on the road about 130 metres away on the Foynes side where the flashing light had also been placed. He carried an illuminated stick.

On the Foynes side there was also a Garda car parked 80 metres from the scene of the first accident with flashing lights on.

Garda Kelleher and Mr Liston were near the fire appliance and close to the Toyota and recovery truck when Shannon’s car came from the Foynes direction, he said.

Mr O’Kelly said the firefighter who took up position with the illuminated stick on the Foynes side heard the sound of a car approach.

He waved the illuminated stick to flag down this car and moved to the centre of the road. However, this car sped right past him, passing the parked Garda car which had its flashing lights on, he said.

Shannon’s car struck the open door of the fire appliance before hitting Garda Kelleher and Mr Liston, he said.

He added that another firefighter was knocked sideways before Shannon’s car struck the Toyota, coming to a halt.

Mr O’Kelly said: “The car driven by the defendant came from the Foynes direction driven at speed and appeared to ignore the firefighter who was 130 metres from the scene to flag it down.”

He said by the time Shannon’s car had gone the 130 metres to where Garda Kelleher and Mr Liston were, he was travelling at such speed that he propelled the garda 30 metres down the road and propelled Mr Liston into the air.

Mr O’Kelly said: “These facts were very, very strong evidence that the type of driving involved was in the extreme.”

The trial before Judge Carroll Moran continues today and the state expects to call 48 witnesses.