Anger at Garda's non-appearance at death crash inquest

A garda sergeant and key witness are to be summonsed to attend the inquest of a teenager killed in a car crash, it emerged today.

Dublin County Coroner Dr Kieran Geraghty had to adjourn proceedings when the two failed appear at a hearing into the tragic death of Rory Attley.

The 17-year-old, of The Avenue, Wicklow, was killed when his car collided with another vehicle at Ballinlea, near Ashford, on the morning of November 26 last year.

Declan Doyle, the second motorist involved in the collision, remains in hospital.

Dr Geraghty was told Sgt Mark Foley had handed the case over to a colleague, who today had no information on the whereabouts of the only witness to the collision.

The coroner said it was very unsatisfactory for Sgt Foley to pass the case on and not to show up.

He was also angered when it later emerged witness Thomas Carty was out of the country and due home tomorrow.

The case was adjourned until January 29 next year.

“I am disappointed Sgt Foley hasn’t shown up and that Thomas Carty hasn’t shown up,” said Mr Geraghty.

“I intend to issue summonses to ensure they attend that date.”

Meanwhile, motorist Sheila Townsend told the hearing that just moments before she came across the collision she was overtaken dangerously by one of the cars involved.

“I was suddenly overtaken at very high speed by a car,” said Mrs Townsend.

“This manoeuvre was very dangerous as I had just exited a roundabout.

“At the time I thought it was a crazy bit of driving.

“A minute later I came across the accident.

“I am certain it was the same car.”