Detective Garda accused of dangerous driving
A Detective Garda has gone on trial today accused of dangerous driving and unauthorised taking of an unmarked Garda car which was involved in a collision in Dublin in 2010.
Det Garda Kevin Keys, who is attached to Mountjoy station in Dublin, has pleaded not guilty to both charges.
His non-jury trial at Dublin District Court began before Judge Conal Gibbons today after a Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission (GSOC) probe into the circumstances surrounding a collision between two vehicles at the M50 motorway, on February 6, 2010.
Opening the case for the prosecution, Mr Ronan Kennedy BL told Judge Gibbons that evidence would be heard that at about 7.50pm on February 6, 2010 there was collision on the M50 southbound at the number 11 exit, the junction with the N81.
It involved the unmarked Garda car and a black Hyundai Santa Fe 4X4 driven by a man named Gareth Wooster.
The incident was referred to GSOC on the basis that it appeared that the activity of a garda appeared to have resulted in serious harm to an individual.
Mr Kennedy said that it was anticipated that the evidence would be that the defendant was rostered to work from 9am to 5pm at Mountjoy garda station on the day in question.
There was an international rugby match taking place on that date. It would be alleged that Det Gda Keys and an of-duty colleague went to a pub in Phibsborough, in Dublin city's north side at about 2.50pm.
Mr Kennedy said the evidence would be that while at the pub Det Gda Keys met Det Sgt Peter Woods and another colleague, both of whom were off-duty.
Mr Kennedy told Judge Gibbons that it will be alleged that Det Gda Keys stayed at the pub until about 7.29pm. He then left with Det Sgt Woods and went to Mountjoy Garda station.
The court heard that it would be claimed that while at the Garda station, the defendant took keys to a red Ford Mondeo. Det Gda Keys drove and Det Sgt Woods was a front seat passenger as the car travelled towards the M50.
Judge Gibbons heard that the prosecution case would be that Det Gda Keys had no authority to take the unmarked car. Evidence would be heard that at about 7.50pm on the M50, at exit 11, he lost control of the car and collided with the 4X4 driven by Mr Wooster.
Emergency services attended the scene and two ambulances took the injured parties to hospital.
Mr Kennedy also said that the court would hear testimony that Mr Wooster received medical treatment and was breath tested. The occupants of the unmarked Garda car, were also brought to hospital by ambulance but on arrival they declined to go in and signed disclaimers.
The court also heard that a GSOC officer who investigated the scene of the crash found that the unmarked garda car had been travelling at 95.95 kph in an area where there had been a 60kmph speed limit due to road works.
In evidence, former Irish Times editor Conor Brady, who had then been a member of GSOC, told Judge Gibbons that after an investigation was carried out a file was sent to the DPP with a recommendation for him to consider bringing a prosecution.
The trial was adjourned until February 1 next.
