An Algerian businessman has admitted a reckless endangerment charge arising from the death of a university student following an alleged "road rage" incident.
Zitouni Mekhalfia (41), Goldstone Court, Crumlin, Dublin pleaded guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to reckless endangerment which led to the death of UCD student Mr David Keating and to leaving the scene of an accident on October 8th, 2000.
Mr Keating (21), Delaford Grove, Templeogue, Dublin died from head injuries he received when hit by a jeep driven by Mekhalfia at the junction of the South Circular Road and Emor Street.
He was on his way home with friends after they had watched the Ireland v Portugal soccer World Cup qualifier. Mekhalfia, a businessman who has lived here for the past 20 years, left the State on the same day and a search was launched by gardaí who asked British police for assistance in tracking him after it emerged he had boarded a plane to Heathrow Airport in London.
He was later traced to Algeria, where gardaí managed to contact him and he agreed to come back to Ireland to face the charges.
Judge Desmond Hogan adjourned sentencing Mekhalfia until April 30th after being told by defence counsel, Mr Patrick Gageby SC, that he would be unable to deal with the case for the month of March and the early part of April.
Judge Hogan remanded him on continuing bail until the sentence date.
He was told Mekhalfia had been released into the custody of his partner by Kilmainham District Court on his return to Ireland to face the charges.
