Jury to see footage of suspect vehicle

A jury is due to be shown CCTV footage today tracking a vehicle suspected of being involved in a fatal hit and run, almost three years ago.

Fri, 13 Mar, 2015 - 00:00

Donal Hickey

Garda evidence showing the movements of a grey Toyota Land Cruiser, between Newmarket, Co Cork, and Killarney, Co Kerry, and surrounding areas on June 30 and July 1, 2012, began at the Circuit Criminal Court in Tralee, yesterday.

The vehicle is suspected of being involved in a collision at about 5.15am on July 1, 2012, in which 42-year-old cyclist Paud O’Leary died.

Shane Fitzgerald, aged 23, of Upper Knockeen, Knockduff, Meelin, Newmarket, has pleaded not guilty to dangerous driving causing the death of the father of four, at Scrahanfadda, Gneeveguilla, Co Kerry, on that date.

Sgt David Leslie, Tralee, based in Bantry, Co Cork, at the time, told the court he was an exhibits’ officer responsible for compiling CCTV footage and had become aware the accused was the owner of a Land Cruiser.

He examined footage obtained by colleagues and noticed a Land Cruiser passing Paddy O’Keeffe’s shop, at Gattabawn, Gneeveguilla, at 5.11am. The vehicle was coming from the Killarney direction and travelling towards the accident scene.

Sgt Leslie said the late Mr O’Leary’s body was later located at the scene, just over 1km from the shop.

He also said CCTV observed a Land Cruiser leaving the car park at Killarney railway station, at 4.57am and there was other external footage of people on the street, in Killarney, and also some of people in licensed premises in the town.

Some 35 vehicles passed O’Keeffe’s shop from 5.11am until 10am, he added.

Footage was also shown from outside the High Street bar and Supervalu supermarket, in Newmarket.

Judge Thomas E O’Donnell adjourned the trail until today, telling the jury a problem with the video needed to be sorted out overnight.