This article is from page 3 of the 2006-03-14 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 3 JPG
AN 18-year-old man has appeared in court, facing charges arising out of the death of a young Ennis woman in a road accident last year.
Aidan Quilligan, of Cloughoolia, Sixmilebridge, is charged with dangerous driving causing the death of Charelle Howard, at Shanaway Road, Ennis, on July 16, 2005.
Mr Quilligan is also accused of carrying passengers, the number of which exceeded the passenger accomodation of the car.
17-year-old Ms Howard, an only child from Watery Road, Ennis, was a back seat passenger in a Volkswagen Polo car when it was involved in the single vehicle accident.
Inspector Michael Gallagher told Ennis District Court last Friday that the “unfortunate” accident happened at 12.30am, at a time when road conditions were good.
He said the accused was driving the three-door car in which six others were travelling, all of whom were aged 17 or 18. The group was coming from a birthday party, travelling towards Ennis.
“He lost control of the car, hit a kerb and overturned a number of times. A number of the others were injured. The defendant escaped injury,” said Inspector Gallagher.
He said it is alleged that Mr Quilligan was driving “okay” after leaving the house party, and increased speed after a friend’s car overtook him.
“Inexperience caused him to lose control,” said the Inspector. Relating to the speed, he added, “Whether that could be proved is another matter. A lot of that could be speculation, to be fair to the defence; up to that point he was driving slowly.”
He said there was no question of any racing, adding that the car the accused was driving was “overloaded”.
Inspector Gallagher said the accused was a “fine young man, of good character, who has never come to the attention of the gardaí before. He comes from a highly respected family.”
Judge Joseph Mangan was told that the DPP would consent to a summary disposal of the case in the District Court on a guilty plea.
Defending solicitor Rachel Dobson said there was a guilty plea. After hearing the facts, the judge said he would accept jurisdiction.
Ms Dobson requested an adjournment, for preparation of the relevant reports on the matter. The accused will appear again in court in June.
Charelle’s mother was in court while solicitor Tara Godfrey said she was holding a watching brief.