Church sacristan, 92, died after traffic crossing fall
A taxi driver is on trial on a charge of careless driving, causing the death of a 92-year-old church sacristan at Ballintemple, Cork, early last year.
Bertie Byrne, aged 64, of Elderwood Drive, Boreenmanna Rd, Cork, yesterday pleaded not guilty when arraigned at Cork Circuit Criminal Court on a charge that, on February 6, 2018, at Blackrock Rd, he drove a car without due care and attention thereby causing the death of another person, namely Dan O’Connor.
The incident occurred shortly after lunchtime at a pedestrian crossing outside the post office on Blackrock Rd, Ballintemple, when Mr O’Connor was walking across the road using a crutch-style walking stick.
The accused was not working at the time and was driving up from the Páirc Uí Chaoimh side on Park Rd on to Blackrock Rd.
Prosecution barrister Donal O’Sullivan said: “We cannot say definitively whether he collided with Mr O’Connor but Mr O’Connor was caused to fall. His walking stick was bent.
“Mr Byrne did his best to assist. Mr O’Connor fell to the ground. He suffered an injury. He died three days later in hospital.”
Witness Deirdre Leahy, who lives in the locality, testified she was stopped at a red light, against her driving towards town. She knew Mr O’Connor by sight. On that occasion, he was walking quite slowly at the pedestrian crossing. Ms Leahy said her red light turned to a flashing amber when Mr O’Connor was halfway across the road.
“A car pulled in in front of me from my right-hand side — Park Avenue,” she said. “I did not see an actual collision. I saw Mr O’Connor fall slightly… His stick was on the ground and it was bent. Someone close by gave us a blanket.”
James O’Mahony, defence senior counsel, said the defendant said someone waved at him to come out on to the road. Ms Leahy replied: “Well it was not me.”
Paula Cashell was in her car behind Ms Leahy and said: “I cannot say I saw any force or impact.”
Phil Guerin was a customer in the post office and came out after the incident. She phoned the emergency services, as did the defendant. She said it was a very clear, sunny day.
Standing near the defendant after the incident, she recalled: “He repeated twice or three times: ‘I didn’t hit him, I didn’t hit him.’ ”
Mr O’Mahony SC said the defendant found the sun very strong on the day and got a gesture to drive on to the road. The defendant told gardaí he was going no more than 5km/h.
He had been dropping his wife to the post office, Mr O’Mahony SC said.
At the time of the accident, it was believed the injured party had only sustained minor injuries, Garda Jeremy Hurley said yesterday.
The trial continues.
