Road rage accused admits reckless endangerment

An Algerian businessman has admitted a reckless endangerment charge arising of the death of a fourth-year university student following an alleged 'road rage' incident.

Zitouni Mekhalfia (aged 41), from Goldstone Court, Crumlin, pleaded guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to reckless endangerment which led to the death of UCD student David Keating and to leaving the scene of an accident on October 8, 2000.

Mr Keating (aged 21), from Delaford Grove, Templeogue, died from head unjuries he received when hit by a jeep driven by Mekhalfia at the junction of the South Circular Road and Emor Street.

He was on his way home with friends after they had watched the Ireland v Portugal soccer World Cup qualifier.

Mekhalfia, a businessman who has lived here for the past 20 years, left the State on the same day and a massive manhunt was launched by gardai who asked English police for assistance in tracking him after it emerged he had boarded a plane to Heathrow Airport in London.

He was later traced to Algeria where gardai managed to contact him and he agreed to come back to Ireland to face the charges

Mr Brendan Grehan BL, prosecuting, said that in due course a nolle prosequi would be entered in relation to outstanding counts on the indictment. He added that if any victim impact reports on family members were required for the sentence date they would be available.

Judge Desmond Hogan adjourned sentencing Mekhalfia until April 30 after being told by defence counsel Mr Patrick Gageby SC that he would be unable to deal with the case for the month of March and the early part of April.

Judge Hogan remanded him on continuing bail until the sentence date. He was told Mekhalfia had been released into the custody of his partner by Kilmainham District Court on his return to Ireland to face the charges.