The DPP has been asked to explain why he decided not to proceed with a case against a lorry driver charged after an accident at Slane Bridge in February which claimed the life of a two-year-old boy.
In Navan District Court yesterday, Garda Insp Pat Gannon said he was directed to request that the charge be withdrawn.
Mr Barry Graham (35), of Primrose Gardens, Portrush, Co Antrim, had been charged with dangerous driving at Slane Bridge on February 12th. As a result of the accident, during which the lorry he was driving rolled over two cars, two-year-old David Garvey from the Collon Road in Slane died.
Reacting to the news yesterday afternoon, a local councillor, Ms Anne Dillon-Gallagher, said local people deserved answers from the DPP. "It is very difficult for any person looking at an accident like that to see the charges thrown out; very often there is no one there to bring a charge against, and it is time we got answers from the DPP," she said.
The Slane Bridge Action Committee, which was formed after the tragedy, said it was still demanding that the village be bypassed. Additional safety measures have been installed on both approaches to the bridge since the accident, including a lane for trucks, traffic islands and warning signs.
Mr John Ryle, a spokesman for the action committee, said: "All the signs and lanes won't stop a truck that is out of control. The only way to ensure there are no more deaths is to have a bypass."
Meanwhile, a motorist who drove past waiting traffic and a red light at the northern approach to the bridge was yesterday fined £250 at Navan court. Garda Eamon Tracy was in an unmarked patrol car in the traffic waiting to cross the bridge when the defendant overtook him on August 13th.
The garda said Mr Tony Coffey (24) of Carnmalin, Malin Head, Co Donegal, overtook a line of cars and went through the light and crossed the bridge.
Judge John Brophy asked whether Mr Coffey was an idiot before endorsing his licence and fining him £250 for careless driving.