Man struck by car was thrown 78 feet in the air, court hears

A man who was killed after being hit by a car may have been jumping as it struck him, flinging him 78 feet in the air, 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.

Deputy State Pathologist Dr Michael Curtis told the Central Criminal Court at Dublin Mr McDonald died as a result of severe head and chest injuries.

The 21-year-old was mildly intoxicated with a blood alcohol limit of 144.

Dr Curtis described cuts and abrasions over Mr McDonald’s body but said a fracture to his skull stretching 9cm by 4cm, fractures to five of his ribs and bruising to his lungs were the fatal injuries.

So severe were Mr McDonald’s head injuries his brain had been torn, the court heard.

Dr Curtis he had been told the victim had been hit by a car but in those circumstances people often presented with broken legs.

“He could have been scooped up by the car without fracturing his legs,” Dr Curtis told the court.

He said it had been put to him the Mr McDonald may have jumped.

“If he was already in the air having jumped at this moment in time when the impact occurred, and his legs were off the ground, that may account for why he doesn’t have any lower limb fractures.”

The court heard Mr McDonald was thrown 78 feet in the air by the impact.

The trial continues.