Witness in murder trial heard 'huge bang' when car hit victim

A witness giving evidence in the trial of a Dublin man charged with murdering an Arklow 21-year-old has said the noise he heard when the accused’s car hit the victim was like a huge bang.

Anthony O’Reilly (aged 22), with an address at Cleggan Park, Ballyfermot, Dublin, is charged with the murder of Daniel McDonald (aged 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.

William Tyrell told the Central Criminal Court at Dublin he had seen some “argy bargy” in Rascals nightclub and when he left he noticed two men arguing in the street pushing and shoving each other.

He told the court one ran and got into a black car and he saw Mr McDonald run after him.

The car then drove off with Mr McDonald hanging from it, his foot stuck in the passenger window.

One of the men had been yelling “you’re dead, I’m going to get you,” he said.

“He was really aggressive, really agitated.”

The black car drove off and out of his sight with Mr McDonald hanging off it, Mr Tyrell said.

When it came back into the street Mr McDonald was no longer hanging on to it.

He then saw a red car come speeding into the street. Mr Tyrell said he felt there was going to be trouble so decided to start walking home. As he walked away he heard a huge bang.

“I’ve never heard anything like it in my life.”

Under cross-examination By Mr Blaise O’Carroll SC, for O’Reilly, he agreed the noise could have been car brakes but said it sounded more like the car scraping along buildings.

The court has heard O’Reilly’s red Honda Civic hit Mr McDonald and flung him in the air.

Witnesses have said it appeared the accused drove straight at Mr McDonald and made no attempt to avoid him.

The trial continues.