Accused cleared of driving charge

A young man accused of dangerous driving causing serious bodily harm to his friend was found not guilty by the unanimous verdict of a jury yesterday.

Michael O’Regan, 25, of Upper Cloghroe, Tower, Co Cork, pleaded not guilty to a charge of dangerous driving causing serious bodily harm to Frank McCarthy at Knocknamore, Ovens, Co Cork, on March 7, 2013.

Prosecution barrister Siobhán Lankford gave an outline of the anticipated evidence in the case. She said Michael O’Regan was the driver of a Volkswagen Polo, his friend Frank McCarthy was in the front passenger seat and Aidan O’Connor was in the back seat when the car crashed into the grotto at Knocknamore at around 6am that morning.