Man appears before Cork court charged with dangerous driving causing teenager's death

A 37-year-old man with a Birmingham address was brought before Cork District Court today charged with dangerous driving causing the death of teenager Rory O’Connor (pictured) in the Listowel area in the early hours of Saturday morning. Picture: Templeglantine GAA

A 37-year-old man with a Birmingham address was brought before Cork District Court today charged with dangerous driving causing the death of teenager Rory O’Connor in the Listowel area in the early hours of Saturday morning.

The 37-year-old who is originally from Listowel is also charged with drink driving.

The fatal incident was widely reported as a hit-and-run collision involving a van and the pedestrian teenager on the N69 near Dromin Upper, Listowel, shortly after 3am on September 26.

Sergeant Joe O’Sullivan gave evidence of arrest, charge and caution of 37-year-old Alan Browne of 117 Elmdale Crescent, Birmingham. 

Following the caution that he did not have to reply to the charges but that anything he might say could be taken down and given in evidence, Alan Browne made no reply to the charges, according to the sergeant’s evidence.

Four charges against the accused 

There are four charges against the accused man. 

The first count states that on September 26 at Dromin Upper, Listowel, County Kerry, he was driving a vehicle in a manner that was dangerous, thereby causing the death of Rory O’Connor.

He is also charged with driving under the influence of an intoxicant to such an extent as to be incapable of having proper control of the vehicle.

The two other charges against him are of having no insurance and no driving licence at the relevant time.

As the issue was raised in court as to whether bail would be granted, the accused man’s solicitor, John Cashell said there was no application for bail at this time.

Judge David Waters remanded the accused in custody until Thursday, October 1 at Listowel District Court. 

The case was before Cork District Court today as there was no court sitting in Kerry, Judge Waters was told.

Alan Browne was not required to speak during the hearing today.

Directions in the case will be given at a later stage by the Director of Public Prosecutions.

Gardaí appealed for witnesses who may have information about the collision to come forward. 

They appealed in particular to anyone who was travelling on the N69 near Dromin Upper between 2.30am and 4am on Saturday and who may have camera footage of the area. 

This includes motorists with dashcam footage or anyone with relevant recordings on a mobile phone. 

Anyone with information is asked to contact Listowel Garda Station on 068 50820, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111, or any Garda station.