A deaf man has apologised for the death of a man who was hit by a bus following an alleged roadside altercation.
Edward Connors, who is profoundly deaf, has been charged with the manslaughter of Eoghan Dudley (28), who died last Thursday evening after suffering severe head injuries in the incident at the junction of Nassau Street and Dawson Street in Dublin city centre.
Mr Connors (29) who has been living in a homeless hostel in Dublin, was brought before the city’s District Court today where proceedings were translated through a sign language interpreter. He held out his lawyer’s business card when asked who he wanted to represent him.
Det Gda Conor O’Braonain told the court that, when Mr Connors was charged at Pearse Street Garda station on Saturday night, he replied: “I’m very sorry about him. It was an accident.”
Cahir O'Higgins, defending, requested that his client have an interpreter present when booked in to prison.
He told the judge that Connors also relied on a methadone prescription and asked that all medical assistance be given to him in prison. No application was made for bail.
Judge David McHugh granted legal aid and requested the appropriate authorities to ensure whatever medical assistance is needed.
He remanded Mr Connors in custody until December 13th, when he will be brought before Cloverhill courthouse.
Mr Connors was arrested in the city centre on Friday afternoon after being identified as a suspect when CCTV of the incident was viewed.
Mr Dudley (29) was originally from Rathfarnham, south Dublin. He had been living in rented accommodation in Newcastle, Co Wicklow.
Mr Dudley travelled by bus into the city centre on Thursday afternoon from Tallaght. He became involved in an alleged altercation with others outside a shop at 5.40pm, which resulted in his fall into the road and being crushed under the bus wheels.
The incident was witnessed by a number of people out late-night shopping.
Mr Dudley was not carrying ID and suffered severe head injuries. When gardaí had still not identified him early on Saturday they released details of his tattoos and piercings. This in turn led to information that identified him.
Additional reporting: PA