Man convicted of manslaughter through dangerous driving

A man has been convicted by a jury at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court of the manslaughter through dangerous driving of a Lithuanian truck driver almost two years ago.

Charlie McDonagh (aged 21) Belcamp Lane, Priorswood had admitted he drove the van that killed Mr Robertus Jusius but had pleaded not guilty to unlawful killing and dangerous driving causing his death.

Judge Patrick McCartan remanded McDonagh in custody for sentence later. The jury took almost three hours to reach its guilty verdict on day-six of the trial.

The jury heard how Mr Jusius and two other Lithuanian men tried to stop a group of people who were stealing diesel from two Scania trucks parked outside their apartment at Lanesborough Crescent, Finglas around 10pm on April 4, 2006.

Mr Egidijus Aukstuolis said the group of people - four men and one boy - saw the Lithuanians coming and jumped into the red Ford Transit van which started to accelerate towards them.

He said he did not see Mr Jusius go under the vehicle but saw him "covered in blood" when the van drove out of the estate.

McDonagh told gardaí that he "panicked" when he saw the Lithuanians advancing. He said he did not know he was dragging Mr Jusius and did not speed out of the estate but took it "nice and easy" at 45 kph.

Dr Michael Curtis, the deputy state pathologist, concluded from his postmortem examination report that Mr Jusius had died of "multiple injuries" which he said were "consistent with him being dragged by a motor vehicle across the road".

Dr Curtis told prosecution counsel, Mr Fergal Foley BL, that Mr Jusius had five puncture lacerations to his left lung, broken ribs and a scalp fracture.

Mr Jusius's body was formally identified at the Mater Hospital by his daughter, Ms Ruta Jusiute, who had been shopping with him in Dublin the week before his death.

Judge McCartan extended sincere condolences on behalf of the court to Ms Jusiute for the loss of her father.

He thanked the 11 men and one woman and exempted them from jury duty for 10 years.