Man pleads guilty to driving causing death charge
A 56- year- old man has pleaded guilty to a charge of dangerous driving causing death on St Patrick’s Day 2015.
Gerry Higgins of McGuinness Court, Aclare entered a plea of guilty at the Circuit Court in Sligo before Judge Keenan Johnson.
Higgins admitted causing the death of Thomas Flanagan by dangerous driving at Lugnadeffa, Ballisodare.
He also pleaded guilty to a further charge of dangerous driving at Templeboy on the same date.
When this charge was put to him, Higgins replied “guilty” and then added: “But I don’t really remember your honour.”
Judge Keenan Johnson said he would accept the defendant’s guilty plea in respect of this charge.
Mr Flanagan, who was in his 80s was a passenger in a car driven by his wife when the crash occurred with a van at about 12.20pm.
Higgins was represented by Mr Colm Smyth SC instructed by Mr Eddie Henry, solicitor.
Mr Smyth said he was seeking an adjournment to allow for the preparation of proofs in advance of a sentencing hearing.
Higgins was remanded on his own bail to appear for sentencing at the Circuit Court on July 18th next at 2pm. A probation report was ordered for that hearing along with a Victim Impact Report.
Legal aid was granted previously in the case which also covered the cost of an engineer’s inspection of both vehicles involved in the fatal crash.
Ms Dara Foynes BL with State Solicitor Mr Hugh Sheridan appeared for the prosecution. The defendant appeared in court on crutches.