Limerick man goes on trial over fatal collision involving lorry full of chickens and car

THE TRIAL of a Newcastle West man accused of dangerous driving causing the death of Latvian man, and driving while intoxicated, has commenced at Limerick Circuit Criminal Court.

Niall O’Halloran, of Woodfield Drive, Newcastle West, has pleaded not guilty to the two charges on the N21, Reens East, Ardagh, County Limerick on March 18, 2022.

The trial, before Judge Simon McAleese, opened on Tuesday and is expected to last into next week. 

Prosecuting barrister Lily Buckley, instructed by State solicitor Brendan Gill, said it was the State’s case that Mr O’Halloran was “intoxicated and incapable of properly controlling his vehicle”.

Mr O’Halloran is represented by Mark Nicholas SC, appearing with barrister Kenny Kerins, instructed by solicitor Michael O’Donnell.

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Ms Buckley told the jury: “You will hear that Mr O’Halloran engaged in dangerous driving and caused the death of Arturs Birznieks."

Latvian man Mr Birznieks, pictured below,  who was residing in County Mayo, had been driving a lorry pulling a container load of chickens on the N21 at the time.

Mr O’Halloran was driving a Volkswagen Passat in the opposite direction, travelling towards Newcastle West.

Ms Buckley said the jury would hear that Mr O’Halloran drove his car onto the wrong side of the road and into the path of Mr Birznieks’ lorry.

The prosecuting barrister said Mr Birznieks tried to take “evasive action” by steering his lorry away from Mr O’Halloran’s oncoming car to try to avoid a collision.

Ms Buckley said Mr Birznieks slowed his lorry down, and “through no fault of his own” lost control after Mr O’Halloran’s car impacted with the front passenger side of the lorry damaging its steering and fuel tank.

The lorry “jack-knifed” on the road and struck a wall where Mr Birznieks, a father-of-two, died at the scene. 

Ms Buckley said the jury would hear that when questioned by gardai, Mr O’Halloran said “he had been drinking”.

The trial continues.