Friends Kiara Baird and Derry mum of three Maria Wallace killed last year in Ballybofey
THE case of a man charged with dangerous driving causing the death of two friends has been adjourned to the next term of Letterkenny Circuit Court.
Friends Kiara Baird (19), and Derry mother-of-three Maria Wallace (38), died after the car in which they were passengers crashed at Glenfin Road, Ballybofey on September 21st, 2016.
The women died instantly after the Citroën C3 car in which they were travelling was involved in a collision with a pole.
Dermot Dowd (24), of Donegal Road, Ballybofey, who is in custody on other charges, is charged with dangerous driving causing the deaths of the two pals.
Family members of the two women were in court this morning, when Judge John O’Hagan granted an adjournment.
Barrister for the accused, Mr Peter Nolan, said he had only received the book of evidence for the case yesterday and applied for the adjournment ‘in the interest of justice’.
“I am very conscious of the trauma the two families are going through,” Judge O’Hagan said.
“I am also conscious that relatives of Kiara Baird and Maria Wallace are in court.
“I am doing what I am doing principally on the presumption of innocence.
“Secondly, it is obliged that a book of evidence be served.
“The defence can weigh it up, assess it and decide what to do.
“It appears as if this was only served two days ago in what is a very serious case.
“The other fact is that the accused, Mr Dowd, is in custody under other matters so, consequently, he is entitled to an early trial because he is in custody.
“I am aware of the pressures you are under, but this particular case should be adjourned to the next term.”
Judge O’Hagan also warned that trial dates will not be arranged to suit any engineers who may be required to give evidence in the trial.
He said: “I have had experience in the past where engineers try to ‘engineer’, so to speak, a trial date that suits them.
“That is not to be tolerated’.
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