Man arrested on Cork Airport runway over death of Kerry cyclist

Gardaí arrested a man on the runway at Cork Airport yesterday and charged him with dangerous driving causing the death in July 2012 of a cyclist preparing for the Ring of Kerry charity cycle.

Detective Sergeant Fergal Foley arrested Shane Fitzgerald, 21, of Upper Knockeen, Knockduff, Meelin, Newmarket, Co Cork, at the airport.

Fitzgerald was charged that with a single count, that on July 1, 2012, at Scrahanfadda, Gneeveguilla, Co Kerry, he drove dangerously thereby causing the death of Paudie O’Leary. When cautioned that he was not obliged to say anything and asked if he wanted to say anything, he said, “No.”

Det Sgt Foley said the State was opposed to bail being granted to the accused, whom he described as a flight risk.

“Mr Fitzgerald fled the jurisdiction within 20 hours of this alleged incident. Efforts were made to contact him. However, he subsequently left the UK and went to Australia.”

Det Sgt Foley alleged that when the accused was later back in Britain he was aware of the interest An Garda Siochána had in him, but chose to return to Australia.

“He is substantive flight risk and it is my belief he would not stand trial if granted bail,” the detective said at a special sitting of Cork District Court, following his arrest at the airport at 3.35pm and his subsequent charging at the Bridewell Garda Station for causing the death.

The late Mr O’Leary was out on an early morning training cycle for the 112-mile Ring of Kerry charity cycle. The married man with a young family was a Gneeveguilla native.

David O’Meara, defence solicitor, said there was no application for bail.

Judge Olann Kelleher remanded him in custody to Tralee District Court tomorrow.