Driver could not explain cause of fatal three-car crash, court hears
Civil servant and mother-of-three Geraldine O’Shea, of 11 Riverwalk, Oakpark, Tralee, has pleaded not guilty to dangerous driving causing the death of Bernadette Dillane, on the occasion.
Ms Dillane, 48 and also a mother-of-three, from Lixnaw Co, Kerry, was a back seat passenger in a vehicle driven by her husband.
She had suffered extensive head injuries and brain damage and died nine days later at Kerry General Hospital, Tralee, without regaining consciousness.
The accident occurred near a bridge over the River Maine, about 3km on the Tralee side of Farranfore village, after 1.30pm.
The Circuit Criminal Court in Tralee was told how Michael Dillane had pulled over to the crown of the road and indicated to the right when struck in the rear and pushed onto the path of ongoing traffic, on the incorrect side.
In a signed statement, O’Shea said she was driving from Killarney and came around a sweeping corner. Suddenly this car was in front of her and there was an “awful bang”.
She said she and her children were wearing seat belts. She denied tailgating but agreed she may have overtaken a vehicle after the village of Farranfore.
O’Shea was doing 88-96km/h. She watched her speed generally.
Also in evidence yesterday, Michael Dillane said his car had stopped when the accident occurred.
“There was a loud bang at the back of me, like a bomb. I was pushed out to the wrong side of the road and a car coming from the Tralee side hit the front of us. The air bag exploded and there was glass everywhere,” he said.
Mr Dillane said when he got out of the car he saw his wife stretched across their daughter, Niamh, in the back seat.
His 16-year-old daughter, Catherine, was sitting in the front passenger seat, while his wife and their other two children were in the back seat. All were wearing seat belts, he added.
The case is continuing.
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