Driver pleads not guilty to causing friend’s death
Hairdresser Elaine Houlihan, now aged 24, of Iveragh Park, Killorglin, pleaded not guilty to dangerous driving causing the death of Theresa Foley of Rangue, Killorglin, at Pallas, Beaufort, on April 18, 2006.
The late Ms Foley was a front seat passenger in Ms Houlihan’s car which crashed into a tree on the N72 main Killarney to Killorglin road.
Opening the case before Judge Carroll Moran and a jury, barrister Tom Rice for the prosecution, said the vehicle was being pursued by a Garda patrol car. The vehicle failed to stop.
It crossed the road and struck a tree in a single vehicle accident, about five miles outside Killarney.
However, there was no suggestion, the court heard, of a high speed chase.
Mr Rice also said it would be alleged the accused had drink taken on the night.
He said the accused and the deceased were in each other’s company at around 3am and met two young men in Killarney town centre. They decided to return to Killorglin and went to the New Street car park where the accused had left her car.
A bar worker in the area believed members of the group interfered with a potted plant near his premises and made a complaint to gardaí, Mr Rice went on.
Two gardaí in a patrol car saw the vehicle and followed it. The gardaí would give evidence of poor cornering and poor driving by Ms Houlihan’s vehicle.
While negotiating a right hand bend, she lost control of the car and allowed it to cross the road onto the grass margin where it hit a tree on the passenger side.
The car had turned 180 degrees and was facing back towards Killarney, Mr Rice said.
Ms Foley suffered brain damage and died from her injuries.
Cross-examining a mapping witness for the prosecution, defence counsel John O’ Sullivan said, from the very outset, Ms Houlihan had maintained that at the point of impact she was dazzled, or blinded, by the lights of a car travelling behind her.
The trial continues.
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