Woman faces trial on charge of dangerous driving causing man's death in Cork

Ms Vasylenko is alleged to have dangerously drove a Hyundai Alantra car at Cork Airport causing the death of Andrii Nesterov

Kseniia Vasylenko was served with a book of evidence today. Picture; Eddie O'Hare

A Ukrainian refugee in Cork accused of dangerous driving causing the death of a fellow Ukrainian man with whom she had been socialising in the city was served with a book of evidence on Monday.

Detective Garda Gary Brennan served Kseniia Vasylenko with a book of evidence today.

The book was formally served on Ms Vasylenko through her solicitor Frank Buttimer at Cork District Court. The accused appeared by video link from prison as she was remanded in custody since first charged.

On the application of Sergeant Pat Lyons, Judge Mary Dorgan sent the case forward for trial at the sessions of Cork Circuit Criminal Court commencing on April 8. The judge gave the accused the alibi warning which requires a defendant to give certain notice to the State if relying upon an alibi defence.

Free legal aid for Mr Buttimer was extended for a barrister and senior counsel to represent the accused at the circuit court.

The only charge in the book of evidence against Ms Vasylenko concerns the allegation that she dangerously drove a Hyundai Alantra car at Cork Airport causing the death of Andrii Nesterov, who was aged around 50, after 2am on Sunday morning October 8, 2023. 

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

43-year-old Kseniia Vasylenko, with an address at Cork Airport Hotel, said at her original bail application that 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.