Pensioner denies responsibility for Donegal crash that injured girl

The DPP has interrupted a civil trial in which an elderly man is being sued after his car swerved into another vehicle, resulting in spinal injuries to a child.

Eighty-one-year-old William Barr of Middletown, Gweedore, Co Donegal lost his own wife in the crash and claims he is not liable because the incident was caused by a medical ailment.

William Barr is being sued by Ronan McGarvey, the father of seven-year-old Noirin, who is in a wheelchair as a result of the crash on May 27, 2008.

In the first case of its kind, the 81-year-old defendant said he lost control of the car because of a medical ailment. He is arguing that he should be indemnified by his local GP.

This afternoon, lawyers representing the DPP interrupted the case on its third day as the girl's mother Sonia was giving evidence.

The court was informed the Director of Public Prosecutions is very concerned because the car crash has given rise to criminal proceedings that are still live in Donegal and listed for hearing in July.

The case has been adjourned until this afternoon to decide whether this civil trial should continue.