Trial begins of Waterford bus driver accused of dangerous driving causing deaths of teenagers on e-scooter

Court heard accused was driving at more than 25km/h over the speed limit at the time

Gilbert Collins and Avuzwa Idris were killed in a collision with a bus in Waterford City on June 27, 2024.

The trial of a bus driver accused of dangerous driving causing the deaths of two teenagers travelling on an e-scooter in Waterford will hear he was driving at more than 25km/h over the speed limit at the time.

Adrian Doyle, of Ard Glas, Abbey Road, Ferrybank, Waterford, is charged with dangerous driving causing the deaths of Gilbert Collins, 15, of 16 Ardmore Park, Ballybeg, Waterford, and Avuzwa Idris, 17, of 7 Crystal Mews, Court Road, Waterford. 

The collision occurred on the Cork Road in Waterford City at about 2am on June 27, 2024.

Mr Doyle pleaded not guilty at Waterford Circuit Court on Tuesday. 

A jury of nine men and three women was sworn in to hear the case before Judge Eugene O’Kelly.

Prosecuting barrister Niall Storan outlined the evidence the jury would hear in the case. 

He said there would be several garda witnesses, as well as members of the ambulance service, and a number of civilians.

He said the incident occurred when a JJ Kavanagh bus driven by Mr Doyle was in collision with an electric scooter. 

The two teenagers were on the scooter at the time of the collision.

Mr Storan said the jury would have to consider whether the manner of Mr Doyle’s driving at the time was dangerous.

He said the accused man was driving the bus towards Waterford City and told gardaí he was on his way to pick up his first passengers. 

Mr Storan outlined that the bus was approaching a straight section of the R680, which had a 50km/h speed limit.

The electric scooter was travelling in the same direction as the bus, carrying the two teenagers. 

It had no rear light.

The jury was told they would hear evidence that the two teenagers were wearing dark clothing, with reference to one motorist who had encountered them some time earlier, noting they were difficult to see.

Mr Storan said the prosecution’s case would rely on the bus’s own on-board camera, as well as tachograph data and camera footage from the locality, and the evidence of a forensic collision investigator who had attended the scene.

He said: “Speed evidence will be central.” 

He said evidence, including from the bus’s tachograph, and other evidence would place the vehicle’s speed at 76-77km/h.

Mr Storan also said there was no physical evidence of braking before the impact between the bus and the electric scooter. 

He added Mr Doyle had said he had not seen the teenagers before the crash, that it “all happened very quickly”, and he was focused on the road ahead.

Mr Storan said there would be evidence the accused man stopped and called for assistance following the collision. 

Mr Doyle passed drug and alcohol tests following the collision, Mr Storan added.

He concluded the central question would be about the manner of his driving before the impact with the electric scooter.

The trial continues.