Longford man denies charge of careless driving causing death

A man has gone on trial accused of careless driving causing the death of a teenager and causing serious bodily harm to another man as a result of a fatal road accident in Co Longford more than two years ago.

Eighteen-year-old Joseph Reynolds died when the car in which he was travelling in collided with a tractor at Cloonart South, Bornacoola on the main N4 between Rooskey and Newtownforbes on July 17, 2017.

Jamie O'Reilly, Cartrongar, Drumlish, Co Longford denies both charges.

In opening the case before Judge Keenan Johnston at Longford Circuit Court this afternoon, counsel for the prosecution Shane Gerety said it would be the State's case Mr O'Reilly was at the wheel of a tractor which failed to have a flashing amber beacon in operation at the time of the incident.

He said evidence would be heard that it was this failure which prevented Liam Doherty, the driver of a car Mr Reynolds was passenger in, from colliding with the tractor as Mr O'Reilly exited a field onto the N4 at 11.30pm.

Defence counsel John Shortt SC expressed his client's "sincere regret" to the late Mr Reynolds' family and to David Gregg, who sustained serious bodily harm as a result of the collision.

He did though insist it would be the defence's case that those tragic events were not the consequences of Mr O'Reilly driving without due care and attention on the night in question.

The case continues tomorrow before a jury of eight women and four men.

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