Man remanded in custody over fatal Swords road incident

Desmond Collopy from Ballyfermot accused of dangerous driving at Dublin District Court

A 29-year-old man was remanded in custody today after he was charged in connection with an incident which claimed the life of a pedestrian in Swords in Dublin at the weekend.

Desmond Collopy, from Ballyfermot, Dublin, stood accused of dangerous driving. He did not apply for bail when he was brought before a judge this morning.

Married 50-year-old, Eamon Cronin, a customer service agent from Ridgewood, Swords, was struck by a car at about 3.10am on Saturday last. He was pronounced dead at the scene and his body was removed to removed to Connolly Hospital for postmortem.

Garda forensic collision investigators examined the scene and an appeal was issued for witnesses to come forward.

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On Saturday evening Mr Collopy, from Landen Road, Ballyfermot, was arrested by Garda Ciaran McGeough. The 29-year-old was taken to Swords Garda station, where he was held under Section Four of the Criminal Justice Act 1984.

On Sunday, a charge of dangerous driving at the junction of Malahide Road and Main Street, Swords, under Section 53.1 of the Road Traffic Act, was put to him.

He was brought to appear before Judge Michael Walsh at Dublin District Court today where Garda McGeough said the accused "made no reply" when the charge was put to him.

Defence solicitor Terence Hanahoe told Judge Walsh his client was not making an application for bail at this point. There was consent to him being remanded in custody to appear at Cloverhill District Court on Friday when a bail application could be made.

Mr Collopy, dressed in a grey tracksuit, remained silent during his hearing this morning and has not yet indicated how he will plead. Free legal aid was granted following a request my Mr Hanahoe.

It has been reported that Mr Cronin and his wife, Jane, had been married for 19 years and had no children.

He worked at the Permanent TSB branch on Baggot Street and was due to celebrate his birthday on Thursday.