Luas driver acquitted of unsafe driving charge

A Luas operator on trial for crashing a tram into a Dublin Bus has been acquitted of unsafe driving by direction of the judge.

Oriyomi Emmanuel of Jamestown Park, Ratoath, Co. Meath broke the signal lights at the junction of Middle Abbey Street and O’Connell Street on September 16, 2009.

He has been cleared on technical grounds.

Oriyomi Emmanuel cried and blessed himself in court but made no comment following his acquittal this afternoon on a charge of unsafe operation of a tram.

He was cleared by judge Mary Ellen Ring due to contradictory evidence as to how close the tram was to the signal light when it stopped at the junction of Abbey Street and O'Connell Street.

Convinced the signal was in his favour, Mr Emmanuel broke the light, and crashed the tram into the side of a northbound Dublin bus.

The judge said his actions did not appear to be reckless or inappropriate which meant evidence relating to the tram's position at the lights was of central importance.