Bus Éireann is to face more serious charges that may be dealt with by a judge and jury relating to last year's school bus crash that claimed the lives of five school girls in Co Meath.
In Navan District Court yesterday, the State solicitor for Meath confirmed that the company was to be prosecuted under the health and safety legislation for an indictable offence.
Judge John Brophy also said that the summons would be issued shortly and was asked to adjourn the case currently before the district court. However Judge Brophy told State solicitor Brendan Steen this would be the last adjournment he would grant.
"There are families out there. The first anniversary is gone and you seek an adjournment; it is not fair," he said.
Bus Éireann is facing a summons alleging that at Mooretown, Navan, on May 23rd, 2005, the bus was a danger to the public because of a known defect, which could have been discovered if proper checks had been carried out.
Mr Steen said there were "box loads" of documentation relating to the case and that consultations had only concluded yesterday.
In reply to Judge Brophy, he confirmed that Bus Éireann would be prosecuted and face indictable charges.
They are charges that are generally dealt with in the higher circuit court and ones where the defendant can opt for trial by judge and jury.
Mr Steen said the summary matter before the court at the moment could not be dealt with until after the indictable one.
Paul Anthony McDermott, for Bus Éireann, said there was little he could say until it was known what charges the company would face.
The judge adjourned the case until July 26th and said he wanted it "up and running" before the court's holiday in August.