A MAN accused of dangerous driving causing the deaths of a garda and a firefighter told gardaí he could not describe what he was feeling for the families of the men who died.
Niall Shannon (20), Lenamore, Ballylongford, Co Kerry, was over the legal alcohol limit for driving when he was arrested following a double road fatality in Co Limerick last year, the jury at his trial has heard.
He has pleaded not guilty to dangerous driving causing the deaths of Garda Brian Kelleher and firefighter Michael Liston at Barrigone, Foynes, Co Limerick, on February 25th, 2007. Mr Shannon also denies driving with excess alcohol and driving with two bald tyres on the same date.
On the fifth day of the trial at the Circuit Criminal Court in Limerick yesterday, the jury was brought by bus to visit the scene of the double road fatalities.
After spending a short time in the area they returned to court where evidence resumed.
Garda Michael O'Shaughnessy gave evidence of taking a breath sample from Mr Shannon after he was arrested which showed a reading of 55 micrograms of alcohol per 100 millilitres of breath.
The jury was told on Wednesday that the legal alcohol limit for driving is 35 micrograms of alcohol per 100 millilitres.
The court also heard yesterday that Mr Shannon told gardaí in an interview that he kept within the speed limit on the night of incident.
He said the speedometer in his car was broken at the time but said it had worked previously and that he knew from the amount of revs at which he was driving that he was within the speed limit.
When asked what he was feeling for the families of Garda Kelleher and Mr Liston, Mr Shannon replied: "I don't know how to describe it", the court heard.
In the same interview he described the two who died as "good men".
The trial continues today.