Murder accused sped up car before hitting victim, court hears

A Dublin man accused of murder sped up as he drove his car at the victim without braking, hitting him flinging him in the air like a rag-doll a court has heard.

Anthony O’Reilly, 22, with an address at Cleggan Park, Ballyfermot, Dublin, is charged with the murder of Daniel McDonald, 21, on Main Street, Arklow on February 2, 2007.

O’Reilly has pleaded not guilty to murdering Mr McDonald, dangerous driving causing the death of Mr McDonald and intentionally or recklessly grabbing the steering wheel of Jenny Tobin’s car causing it to swerve in the direction of Mr McDonald.

The Central Criminal Court at Dublin heard the two men had been fighting in Rascals nightclub and were thrown out.

The fight continued on the street, O’Reilly getting into Jenny Tobin’s car and demanding she drive off with Mr McDonald’s foot stuck in the window.

The court heard Miss Tobin slowed down and lowered the window to release Mr McDonald’s foot and later drive back down the street, O’Reilly reaching over to forced the steering wheel in Mr McDonald’s direction.

Michael Kenny said he saw Mr McDonald stuck in the car but did not see any further action until O’Reilly’s red Honda Civic came driving back down the street towards Mr McDonald.

“He was driving down towards us but he was on the correct side of the road but the closer he got he seemed to speed up,” Mr Kenny said.

He said O’Reilly never hit the brakes.

“Then I just seen him turn the wheel in towards Saca (Mr McDonald) like and then he hit him.”

He hadn’t got time to respond, he kind of went to jump like.”

In his statement to Gardaí he said Mr McDonald was thrown in the air like a rag-doll, the court heard.

“The car hit his legs and his head hit the windscreen and he just flicked up in the air.”

Samantha Earls told Mr Justice Kevin O’Higgins and the jury of six men and six women she was in the car with Jenny Tobin when O’Reilly got into the passenger seat on top of her.

“He kept on saying drive the car now and my leg was jammed in the door.”

She shut the door and Mr McDonald was at the window and the two men fighting, she said.

As they drove off Mr McDonald’s foot was stuck through the window. O’Reilly was going mad she said hitting the dashboard with his fists.

As they reached the top of the town he demanded to be taken to Hatton’s to get a shotgun.

She said he made her get out of the front passenger seat and get into the back before they drove back into the town again.

He told Miss Tobin he would pay for any damage to her car.

As they drove back down the street she said O’Reilly reached over and grabbed the steering wheel pushing it in the direction of Mr McDonald who was standing just off the footpath.

O’Reilly eventually got out of Miss Tobin’s car and into his own red Honda Civic.

She said he sped off into the main street again, hitting Miss Tobin’s car as he took off.

O’Reilly seemed more angry than frightened she told the court.

The trial continues.