Man charged over car crash which killed three women

A MAN has appeared in court charged with dangerous driving causing the deaths of three women in a horrific road crash last July.

The women, a mother and daughter and their friend, from Co. Donegal, all died instantly following the three-car smash near Ardee.

Margaret McGonagle, 69, and her daughter Mairéad Mundy, 37, and their friend Rachel Cassidy Battles, 39, from Bruckless, Co. Donegal had been travelling home from Dublin Airport after a holiday when the crash happened on July 21, 2017.

Drogheda District Court yesterday heard that Jason Rowntree, 32, of Plantation House, Kingscourt, Co. Cavan made no reply when arrested and charged with the offence

Garda Sergeant James McCumiskey gave evidence of arresting and charging Rowntree at Drogheda Garda Station and said he made no reply to the charge.

Gardaí did not object to bail and a number of conditions were set as part of the bail terms.

They are that the accused reside at his home address, that he provide a contact number to gardaí, and that €500 cash be lodged. Judge John Coughlan adjourned the case to the May sitting of Ardee District Court.

Mairéad’s son, Caoimhín O’Neill, 13, survived the crash.

Rachel’s six-year-old daughter was also in the car with the women. She was taken to Crumlin Children’s Hospital in Dublin.