Passenger in fatal collision denied bail

PENSIONER KILLED AND WOMAN BADLY HURT IN 2015 CRASH NEAR FERNS

A YOUNG man charged with unlawful carriage in a car which was involved in a fatal accident was denied bail at Wexford District Court after being extradited from the UK.

Michael Christopher Connors (19) said that he had been resident in the UK at Teesside with his parents at 2A Dixon Street since leaving Ireland two and a half years ago.

Charges initiated by Sergeant Victor Isdell arose from his investigations into an accident near Scarawalsh in Co Wexford on January 12, 2015 when the defendant was still aged 16.

The State alleged that Connors was a front seat passenger in a Cork registered Volvo which had been stolen in Wicklow.

On the date in question, the Volvo made its way south from Wicklow before colliding south of Ferns on the N11 with another vehicle.

The crash left Enniscorthy pensioner James Brennan dead at the scene while the woman travelling with him in the other vehicle suffered multiple injuries.

Connors was later interviewed in connection with what happened.

He was eventually extradited and brought to court on September 28 after a European arrest warrant was issued.

The accused was called into the witness box where he explained that he left Ireland because his parents moved to England.

He applied to have bail granted as he wanted to spend time with his family, and to spend time visiting the graves of his aunt and his cousin.

Barrister Jordan Fletcher said that his client’s relatives had raised €1,000 in cash to offer as a surety, with an offer that he could stay with an uncle who lives in Loughlinstown.

However, the court ruled that Connors must remain in custody.

Judge Haughton agreed with the DPP that the matter should be referred to the Circuit Court and adjourned to October 4 for preparation of a book of evidence.