The trial of the man accused of killing eight people in one of Ireland’s most high-profile road crashes has been adjourned until Tuesday next to allow the accused to be psychologically assessed.
Accused: Shaun Kelly.
Shaun Kelly (24), of Hill Road, Ballymagan, Buncrana, is accused of causing the deaths of eight people almost four years ago.
Seven of the victims were travelling in a Volkwagen Passat being driven by Kelly when it was in collision with a Toyota car outside Clonmany on 11 July, 2010.
The case was due to get underway at Letterkenny Circuit Court today after being adjourned on several occasions.
However, both the defence and prosecution teams said they were not yet ready to press ahead with the case.
Both said they were currently awaiting reports including one from a psychologist from the Central Mental Hospital in Dublin.
However, Judge Keenan Johnston said he was refusing to adjourn the matter out of the current sittings of Letterkenny Circuit Court.
He said it was grossly unfair to both the families of the deceased and the accused that the case was dragging on.
Barrister James O’Donnell said he was keeping a “watching brief” for the families involved in the case and said they were extremely anxious to get the matter resolved.
Judge Johnston said both he and his colleague Judge John O’Hagan had tried on several occasions to have the case heard.
“I am acutely aware that there are eight families grieving. Their lives are on hold and it is unfair that this is ongoing,” he said.
He said he was not prepared to adjourn the matter until the next sitting of the Circuit Court.
Letterkenny Courthouse.
Judge Johnston reassured the families that he will “do our level best to get the matter brought to trial as soon as possible.”
The men who died in the crash were Hugh Friel (66), Urris, Clonmany, Eamon McDaid (22) of Ballymagan, Buncrana; Mark McLaughlin, (21) of Ballinahone, Fahan; Paul Doherty (19), of Ardagh, Ballyliffin; Ciaran Sweeney (19), of Ballyliffin; PJ McLaughlin (21), of Rockstown, Burnfoot; James McEleney (23), of Meenaduff, Clonmany and Damien McLaughlin (21), of Umricam, Buncrana.
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