Woman accused of dangerous driving causing man's death in Cork faces more charges

The accused is to be brought to court in person for the purpose of being charged with the new counts

Thu, 25 Jan, 2024 - 17:02

Liam Heylin

Fresh charges are to be brought against a Ukrainian refugee accused of dangerous driving causing the death of a fellow Ukrainian man with whom she had been socialising in Cork.

The Director of Public Prosecutions directed on Thursday that the case is to proceed by indictment. Sergeant Gearóid Davis said at Cork District Court that new charges were to be brought against the defendant.

43-year-old Kseniia Vasylenko of Cork Airport Hotel appeared by video link from prison. Sgt Davis said the accused should be brought to court in person on January 29 for the purpose of being charged with the new counts.

Detective Garda Gary Brennan charged Ms Vasylenko in October 2023 with dangerous driving of a Hyundai Alantra at Cork Airport causing the death of Andrii Nesterov, who was aged around 50, after 2am on Sunday morning, last October 8.

It was alleged that she was driving the Hyundai car owned by the deceased and that her driving was dangerous, resulting in his death.

In the original bail application, the accused said her husband was still in Ukraine working in IT and working with the resistance in this capacity. She said she had been working with the local authority in central Ukraine and was now living in Cork with her five-year-old son and her mother.

“I did not want to leave my country. I love my country. I made the decision to come here to save my life and the life of my son. I came across Poland, Romania, Moldova, to Dublin City West to here.

"I have been in Cork since December 2022. I have been in the airport hotel accommodation centre,” the accused said.

Detective Garda Brennan said: “I think there is a real possibility she would leave the jurisdiction if given bail.”

Trial of woman accused of dangerous driving causing death of man in Cork adjourned