A Limerick man admitted he caused the deaths of two of his friends through reckless driving while fleeing a Garda patrol.
John Casey, (26), South Hill Park, Limerick, pleaded guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to dangerous driving causing the deaths of Mr John Donaghue and Mr John Casey on Fortunestown Lane, Tallaght, on November 27th, 2000.
Garda Sgt Martin Smith told the court Casey picked up three passengers, the two deceased and another friend, at St Maelraun's halting site around midday on November 27th.
The four men went to Co. Wicklow and spent the day drinking in pubs. They returned to the Tallaght area about 9.30 p.m. They met a Garda van and Casey drove off at speed, with the van in pursuit.
Gardaí later found the car crashed into a pier at the gate of a private residence at Fortunestown Lane. Judge Frank O'Donnell adjourned sentencing until March 21st so a full psychiatric assessment of the defendant could be furnished.