Laois driver faces trial for causing pensioner's death
The lorry driver was served with a book of evidence at Portlaoise District Court
A LAOIS lorry driver is to face trial for allegedly causing the death of an elderly pedestrian in Mountmellick.
A book of evidence was served at Portlaoise District Court yesterday (Thursday) on driver Conleth Dunne (64) from Brittas, Clonaslee, Co Laois.
Mr Dunne is accused of careless driving causing death at Chapel Lane, Mountmellick on 27 November 2023.
Pedestrian Seamus O’Riordan from the town’s Davitt Road, who was aged in his early 70s, died after he was struck by a lorry near a service station.
Judge Andrew Cody sent Mr Dunne forward for trial to the current sittings of Portlaoise Circuit Criminal Court, following service of the book of evidence.
The judge agreed to grant legal aid, after defending solicitor Josephine Fitzpatrick submitted bank statements on behalf of the lorry driver.
Ms Fitzpatrick said her client was on social welfare for the past two weeks, having had part-time work between last November and early January. He also received a small army pension.
The solicitor asked Judge Cody to consider providing legal aid for a second counsel, given the very serious nature of the charge.
The judge rejected the submission and granted legal aid for one counsel only, saying: “It is a serious charge but it is at the lower end of the scale, as it is for careless driving rather than dangerous driving causing death.”
Mr Dunne was remanded on continuing bail to the February circuit court sittings.
