A MOTORCYCLIST who died when his bike collided with a Garda patrol car in Co Meath four years ago had earlier overtaken another garda at speed, Trim Circuit Court heard yesterday.
The patrol car driver, Garda Trevor Owens (32), of Kells Garda station, has pleaded not guilty to dangerous driving causing the death of Gary Tully (21) at Commons of Lloyd, Kells, on August 16th, 2008. Mr Tully (21) Silverlawns, Navan, died at Our Lady’s Hospital, Navan, after the collision.
Opening the trial, prosecuting counsel Carl Hanahoe told the jury they would hear that at about 6pm on August 16th, 2008, Garda McKenna was travelling from Virginia to Kells when he was overtaken by a motorbike driven by Mr Tully. He was concerned at the bike’s speed and rang Kells station to say the bike was headed for the town, the prosecutor said.
A message was passed to Garda Owens, who left the Garda station heading in the Virginia direction. The fatal incident occurred when the patrol car and bike collided, Mr Hanahoe said.
The trial is set to last two weeks.