Man charged over fatal west Cork crash

A 26-year-old man has been returned for trial by judge and jury in connection with a fatal road traffic crash in which one woman was killed and four other young people were injured.

Sean Casey from Cooragannive, Skibbereen, Co Cork was brought before Clonakilty District Court today and charged in connection with the crash which claimed the life of Megan Johnston.

Ms Johnston (22) from Skibbereen was a passenger in the car driven by Mr Casey when it struck a metal electricity supply pole on Ilen Street in Skibbereen early on April 8th 2013.

Today Mr Casey was charged with dangerous driving causing the death of Ms Johnston and serious bodily harm to Kate Petford, Michael Connolly, Patrick O'Sullivan and Michael West

All five were passengers in Mr Casey's BMW car when it collided with the electricity supply pole near the Schull Road Roundabout at the western end of Skibbereen around 1.45am.

Mr Casey was also charged with failing to notify gardaí that he was involved in an occurrence while the driver of a car, namely the death of Ms Johnston in a car crash.

He was also charged with a third offence of driving with excess alcohol, namely that within three hours of driving he had a blood alcohol level of 204mgs per 100ml when the legal limit was 50mgs per 100ml.

Garda Oonagh Collins gave evidence of arrest, charge and caution and said that Mr Casey had nothing to say in reply to any of the three charges when they were put to him after caution.

Insp Ronan Kenneally said that the DPP had directed trial by indictment and he sought to have Mr Casey returned for trial to the present sittings of Cork Circuit Criminal Court.

Judge James McNulty granted the application and returned Mr Casey for trial at Cork Circuit Criminal Court and remanded him on his own bond of € 10,000 to appear there on Friday.