Man pleads guilty to dangerous driving in horrific Bundoran crash

December 8, 2020

A young man has pleaded guilty to dangerous driving causing the deaths of two people and seriously injuring another in a crash in Co Donegal.

Joseph Gilroy appeared at Donegal Circuit Court today.

The 22-year-old was arraigned and pleaded guilty to dangerous driving causing death and also causing serious bodily harm.

The charges relate to a crash in Bundoran on August 19th, 2018.

Two friends, Shiva Devine and Conall McAleer, both aged 20, died in the crash while another friend Rachel Elliott, suffered serious injuries.

Ms Elliott appeared in court in a wheelchair and was visibly upset and crying during the court hearing.

Gilroy, of Lisnaskea, Co Fermanagh, who wore a blue suit, spoke only to plead guilty.

The scene of the fatal accident in Bundoran. (North West Newspix)

He was accompanied to court by family members and also a number of friends.

Barrister for Gilroy, Mr Colm Smyth, said the bail could be set as had been before and requested a report from a GP and also a counsellor.

Judge John Aylmer adjourned the case for sentencing to the next sitting of Donegal Circuit Court.

The crash sent shockwaves through the Donegal seaside town.

The two people killed and one person seriously injured were among six people traveling in a blue Peugeot 306 car.

The car struck a wall and then a lamp post.

Both Ms Devine and Mr McAleer were killed instantly and their bodies taken to Sligo University Hospital.

Ms Elliott was rushed to Beaumont Hospital in Dublin where she remained in a critical condition for a number of days fighting for her life.

Ms Devine, who perished in the crash lived in Belleek in Co Fermanagh but was originally from Ballintra in Donegal and had a young son.

She is survived her partner Brian, son Kyle, three, parents Nicola and Julian and siblings, Odin, Che, Freya and Eris Daisy and large extended family.

Mr McAleer was from Ederney in Fermanagh.

Mr McAleer, from Boa Island, was a talented footballer with St Joseph’s GAA club in Ederney, and had recently qualified as an electrician.

He is survived by his parents Brian and Jackie, and sisters Niamh, Tara, Sadhbh and Torai.


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