German cleared of dangerous driving

A 60-YEAR-OLD German national who drove on the wrong side of the road into a car driven by a woman, was cleared of dangerous driving causing serious bodily harm.

At Ennis Circuit Court, a jury took just 20 minutes yesterday to clear Joacheim Brose of Bealkelly, Co Clare, of dangerous driving causing serious harm to Marie Lynch on May 19th, 2008.

The court heard that Ms Lynch’s car was thrown six foot in the air after Mr Brose’s vehicle crashed head on into it.

Ms Lynch suffered multiple fractures and a collapsed lung.

The jury was told that Mr Brose was en route to collect relations at Limerick train station when he realised that he had forgotten the child seat and decided to go back home.

Counsel for Mr Brose, Michael McMahon SC, said that when Mr Brose turned the car around he had a lapse of concentration and drove on the right side of the road.

Judge Rory McCabe told the jury that if they accepted the defence’s version of events as credible, they would have a doubt and should acquit the man.