A retired nurse was over the alcohol limit when he knocked down and killed an 87-year-old man who was crossing the road, Dublin Circuit Criminal Court has heard.
Tipperary man Gerard Brett (65), knocked Benedict (Benny) Brady seven feet in the air when he hit him on a dark and wet evening in north Co Dublin. Mr Brady was taken to hospital but died six days later from his injuries.
The court heard Brett is on dialysis because of chronic liver failure. His counsel submitted that his condition could have led to a build-up of alcohol in his blood stream from several nights’ drinking.
Judge Martin Nolan remanded Brett on continuing bail for sentence tomorrow. The judge asked if Brett’s condition made him more likely to contract an infection in prison. Defence counsel replied that it is a significant factor that the court should keep in mind.
Brett of Marrian Court, Marton Street, Clonmel, pleaded guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to dangerous driving causing death and drink driving on Portrane Road, Portrane on January 21, 2010.
Garda Noel Callan told prosecuting counsel, Vincent Heneghan, that just before 8pm, Brett was driving erratically. A witness later told gardaí he thought Brett was going to drive into a ditch.