Adrian McCool is accused of causing death by dangerous driving. Pic by North-West News-pix.
A FARMER who was forced to pull over after the sheep trailer he was towing suffered a puncture – has appeared before a jury at Letterkenny Circuit Court where he is accused of causing death by dangerous driving.
Adrian McCool pleaded not guilty to causing the death of 53-year-old John O’Donnell who died in road traffic collision in the townland of Cappry, outside Ballybofey on November 13th, 2013.
At the trial yesterday, Garda Elaine Gordon, who was one of the first Gardaí on the scene – gave evidence in relation to the fatal collision.
She told the court, “I was on traffic control duty between Bridgend and Killea, when I received word that there had been a road traffic accident.
“My colleague Garda Mulkearns and I made our way to the scene of the accident, but the weather was dreadful.
“There was very, very heavy rain and visibility was very poor and Garda Mulkearns had his wipers on full.”
The court heard that one of the first people Garda Gordon spoke to was Mr Terry Temple, who was the driver of the Toyota Land-Cruiser that Mr O’Donnell collided with.
Garda Gordon said she carried out a breath test on Mr Temple and that he was fully compliant with her.
She confirmed that Mr Temple passed the breath test.
Garda Gordon then told the court, “I then spoke to Mr Adrian McCool and asked him for his details.
“I then also carried out a breath test on him, and he also passed, he was also fully compliant with me.
“Mr McCool then said, ‘I was pulling in when I got a puncture, I was not fully in when I heard a loud bang. ‘It’s my cousin’s trailer and I don’t know if the lights are working on it.”
The trial continues this morning.