Driver accused over woman’s death sent forward for trial

A man who was charged yesterday with dangerous driving causing the death of a young woman in a car crash in West Cork last April has been sent forward for trial.

Sean Casey, 26, with an address at Corraganniv, Skibbereen, Co Cork, was arrested by appointment at Clonakilty District Court at 10.10am and charged in connection with the road traffic accident on April 8 last in which Megan Johnston, 22, died, and four others were injured.

Six friends — four males and two females — all from the Skibbereen area, were returning home after celebrating the result of a local football derby when at around 1.45am the BMW 3 series car in which they were travelling lost control on the Skibbereen bypass and struck a light post on the Schull road roundabout.

Ms Johnston died at the scene. Four others were rushed to a Cork University Hospital. The other female passenger suffered life-changing injuries.

Garda Oonagh Collins of Skibbereen Garda Station told Judge James McNulty she charged Mr Casey with dangerous driving causing the death of Megan Johnston and causing serious bodily harm to Kate Petford, Michael Connolly, Patrick O’Sullivan and Michael West; of failing to notify gardaí that he was the driver of a vehicle involved in a crash; and of driving with excess alcohol at Ilen, Skibbereen, on Apr 8, 2013.

Garda Collins said Mr Casey had nothing to say in relation to each of the charges, and that she then served him with the book of evidence.

Inspector Ronan Kenneally said the Director of Public Prosecutions had consented to the accused being sent forward to trial and he applied for Mr Casey to be returned for trial, by consent, on Friday.

He said gardaí had no objections to the accused being remanded on bail and Judge McNulty released Mr Casey in his own bond of €10,000, with no cash or surety required, to appear before Cork Circuit Criminal Court on Friday.