Farmer responsible for death in collision ‘destroyed by it’, court told

A farmer who was was over the limit after a night of heavy drinking caused the death of an 80-year-old man in a two vehicle collision, Cork Circuit Criminal Court has heard.

Dan Coakley of Derryleigh, Inchigeelagh, Co Cork had a reading of 99 microgrammes of alcohol per 100 millilitres of breath when the crash occurred. The legal limit is 22 microgrammes per 100 millilitres of breath.

Mr Coakley previously pleaded guilty to dangerous driving causing the death of pensioner, David Service, who was a passenger in a car driven by his son Gary.

He also pleaded guilty to drink driving and knowingly or recklessly having a defective vehicle at the time of the collision which occurred at Carrigleigh in Inchigeelagh, at 11.30am on November 8th, 2020.

Defence barrister Donal O’Sullivan said that his client was “one hundred percent wrong but also very remorseful”.

“He was completely wrong. He should feel bad. He does feel bad. He remained at the scene. There was no attempt by him to escape the scene.

“He is somebody who would have an alcohol problem. There was defects in the vehicle which were viewed as dangerous defects but the reality of this is my client was very drunk and driving a car. There is no getting around that.

“It seems to have been the day after a night’s drinking. There is a genuine level of remorse. He is destroyed by it. He should be destroyed by it. He feels what he did very deeply.”

Garda Daragh Moore told Judge Helen Boyle that Mr Coakley (44) was the driver of a black Audi car which crossed over the centre white line at Carrigleigh, Inchigeelagh, at 11.30am on November 8th, 2020 causing the death of David Service.

Gary Service and his father David were returning to Cork city from Gouganebarra. Gary Service was driving and his father David was a front seat passenger.

While driving through the village of Inchigeelagh in a Ford Connect vehicle they were involved in the collision with Mr Coakley’s car. He had been driving in the opposite direction.

Gary and David Service were taken to Cork University Hospital for treatment. Garda Moore said that gardaí detected a smell of alcohol from Mr Coakley at the scene and a breath sample was taken.

Mr Coakley was subsequently arrested and taken to Macroom Garda Station where he underwent an evidenzer test.

Both vehicles were sent for a PSV examination. It was subsequently found that the Audi had an excessively worn nearside front track rod end and an excessively worn nearside front suspension upper ball joint. This led to Mr Coakley being charged with driving a defective vehicle.

Garda Moore said that the injuries sustained by David Service did not appear to be life threatening when he was first taken to hospital. He had suffered a fractured pelvis but was expected to make a full recovery. However, he had a number of underlying health conditions and died from his injuries in hospital 18 days after the incident.

Garda Moore said that Mr Coakley co-operated fully with gardaí on the day of the crash. A victim impact statement was handed in to Judge Boyle for her consideration. A probation report was also submitted.

He told the court the Service family remained shocked by the accident which led to the loss of a much loved father and grandfather. Gary Service also received injuries to his neck, back and shoulder in the collision.

Judge Boyle adjourned sentencing in the case until May 13th next. Mr Coakley was remanded in custody until his next court appearance.