Man is found guilty of dangerous driving causing death of GAA broadcaster Palmer
A man who sent text messages to relatives and friends saying he left the scene of an accident and had been drinking has been convicted of dangerous driving causing the death of a Gaelic games broadcaster.
Bohdan Bezverkhyi (33), a native of Ukraine but with an address at Rigsdale House in Ballinhassig, Co Cork, had denied before Cork Circuit Criminal Court a charge of dangerous driving causing the death of sports commentator Paudie Palmer (65).
The charge relates to a collision at Dunkereen Cross, Innishannon, Co Cork, on December 29, 2022.
Mr Palmer, who was from Kerry, was an award-winning broadcaster and one of the most respected sports journalists in the south. He was involved in GAA coverage for Cork radio stations 96FM and C103FM for decades and was hailed as the voice of Cork sport.
The late Mr Palmer was an uncle of Claudine Keane, a former model and wife of former Irish football international Robbie Keane. Claudine’s father, Denis, is a brother of Mr Palmer.
The family originally hailed from Templenoe in Kerry, but Mr Palmer spent most of his broadcast career in Cork.
Judge Jonathan Dunphy paid tribute to the jury yesterday for their dedication and attention to detail. He remanded the defendant in ongoing custody for sentencing on May 2. The judge was told victim impact statements will be ready for the sentencing hearing.
Earlier this week the jury heard details of a number of text messages that Bezverkhyi sent in Russian in the wake of the collision.
The texts were translated to English by Liudmilla Ladchenko.
In one text the accused said: “It is not funny to me. I will be jailed. Left the scene of a traffic accident. They will take me in now. They will come and get me.”
A friend asked if he had hit anyone. He replied: “I did.” He then asked another person for guidance via a text message.
“I got in a car accident. Advise me what to do. I am in the wrong 100pc. I drove off – I was drunk. There is no excuse for me. I am guilty of all,” he said.
He said via text that he was “blaming” himself and when asked by a friend why he had not gone to the police, he replied “because I am not sober”.
In one of the texts he said: “Left the scene of accident. Was pissed. Nevertheless, need to surrender to the garbage. I don’t see any other way out. I think this is the most correct option.”
Mr Palmer was admitted to Cork University Hospital on the day of the accident. However, he died from his injuries on January 8 last year.
In a special funeral tribute last year, Mr Palmer’s flag-covered coffin was carried from Innishannon village to St Mary’s Church in relay by honour guards drawn from Valley Rovers GAA club, Templenoe GAA club and St Brogan’s secondary school where he taught for over 40 years.