Mother of teenager killed in road crash queries dropping of charges

The mother of a teenager who died in a road traffic collision has written to the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) to ask him to reconsider withdrawing a charge of dangerous driving causing death against former international rugby player Eddie Halvey

A statement from the family said they were "extremely shocked" at the decision to drop the charge against Mr Halvey, who was due to go on trial in March.

Kevin Walsh (16) from Bruff in Co Limerick, died when a 4x4 vehicle being driven by Mr Halvey collided with the car in which he was a back-seat passenger on the N7 near the village of Toomevara, Co Tipperary, on April 1st, 2006.

Earlier this week the DPP informed the Walsh family that he would not be proceeding with the charge of dangerous driving causing death.

Mr Halvey, Allendale Hall, South Circular Rd, Limerick, is still before Nenagh District Court on a charge of driving with excess alcohol in his system at Coole, Toomevara, on the date of the fatal incident.

The teenager's mother, Kate Walsh, yesterday pleaded with the DPP to "give us justice for our son". There was "no closure for our Kevin", she said.

Ms Walsh said on Newstalk radio that she was informed last Monday by gardaí at Bruff Garda station of the DPP's decision not to proceed with the dangerous driving causing death charge.

"When I asked why, I was told that I don't have to be told why. I do not have to be given a reason why. The DPP is not answerable to anybody. I have been let down so badly by our justice system again. Let this man be tried in court. Give us our day in court," she said.

The 16-year-old was travelling to the Northern Ireland with his two uncles when the collision occurred in the early hours of April 1st, 2006.

A former rugby player with both the Munster and Irish rugby teams, Mr Halvey, who was capped eight times for Ireland, was arrested at the scene and later charged with drink driving.