Garda in fatal crash didn't have a driving licence, inquest told Tuesday November 17 2009 A garda who was on his way to court when he knocked down and killed a pensioner did not have a driving licence, an inquest has heard. Garda Brian O'Connor held only a provisional licence and this expired over three years before the collision which claimed the life of Claire Barr (77). However, Dublin City Coroner's Court yesterday heard that under current legislation gardai do not need to hold a licence when they are driving a vehicle in the course of their duties. Other emergency workers, such as ambulance and fire brigade drivers, have similar exemptions. The inquest was told that Gda O'Connor was on duty and en route from Blanchardstown station, where he is based, to the Bridewell District Court in the city centre when he struck Ms Barr as she crossed the Navan Road in Ashtown on September 21 2007. The garda was driving his own private car, a Volkswagen Golf, and was travelling in a bus lane at the time of the collision. Darren Wright, a senior investigating officer with the Garda Siochana Ombudsman Commission (GSOC), said he interviewed the officer in April 2008 during which he demanded that the he produce his driving licence. However, he failed to do so. Mr Wright said further investigations with the relevant licensing authorities revealed that Gda O'Connor did not hold a licence at the time of the incident, and that he had only ever held a provisional one which had expired in July 2004. The court heard that Gda O'Connor's superintendent had not authorised him to use his own private car, something that is normally done for "internal garda purposes". Ms Barr's brother, Edward Barr, with whom she shared a home at the Paddocks, Ashtown Gate, described his sister as a "quiet, inoffensive lady" whose "main interest was shopping." "She walked a lot and was relatively active ... and very healthy right up to the time of her death." Hurried Mr Barr said they had passed the morning of September 21 as usual and had dinner together at 12.30pm. Ms Barr planned to go shopping in the city centre and was crossing the Navan Road at around 2pm when she was hit by the car. Gda O'Connor told the inquest he was not authorised to drive official garda vehicles yet. He was on his way to the Bridewell when he came across heavy traffic and entered the bus lane with the intention of turning into a housing estate to do a U-turn. He said he had travelled five or six car lengths along the bus lane when he saw a person emerge from the traffic on his left "in a hurried movement". He said: "The whole incident happened in a split second. She kept looking straight in front of her and now to her left where I was." Despite hitting the brakes, Gda O'Connor said he couldn't avoid hitting her. He denied he was in a hurry to get to court or that he planned to use the bus lane all the way into the city. He said he was not exceeding the speed limit. A jury returned a verdict of death by misadventure and recommended that the Oireachtas review the current legislation. Is there a good reason for this legislation, am I missing something ?
I know it's the law. I just don't agree with it! It's one thing if it's a Garda car (or not imo), but it's his own vehicle (even if he was on duty) and he was in a bus lane! Some consolation to the family that the judge recommends "the Oireachtas review the current legislation"
The court heard that Gda O'Connor's superintendent had not authorised him to use his own private car he was in no right Ken!
one law 4 them, one for us. If 'twas me that knocked down an old lady while driving in a bus lane, without a driving license, they'd probably give me the death penalty, if it was still in existance!!
Fcuking disgrace in my opinion.A innocent woman has lost her , and a family has lost a sister or a daughter because of this legistation.What gives them the right not to have a license to drive a car??? Why can they hand out penalites to people who dont have a licencse or who or not accomplained by a full time driver. I think this man should pay the penatly for this and he should be made a example off.No sentence in the world can bring that woman back.Some serious answers are needed here but no doubt it will end up being a cover up and the Garda will get away with it. By the way ive nothing against the Gardai.
No, somebody is dead because of some ones driving. The legitslation didnt kill anyone. It could have been a taxi driver, a police car or you or me driving in the bus lane. The fact he had no licence has more to do with Garda rules than this case. If he had a licence the same verdict would have been reached, altough he may have lost his licence.