A man who died after being knocked down and driven over by a car was described in court yesterday as a "good Samaritan" who had been trying to stop the driver from leaving before gardaí arrived to investigate an assault on a trainee garda.
Brendan Leggett (21), Newry Road, Dundalk, Co Louth, died four days later from his injuries.
At Dundalk Circuit Criminal Court yesterday, Conor O'Reilly (27) from Newry, Co Down pleaded guilty to the unlawful killing of Brendan Leggett and to assault causing harm to trainee garda Colm Murray (21). Both offences took place on Park Street, Dundalk, on September 10th, 2005.
The court heard that the night-clubs in Dundalk town centre were closing and people were emptying on to the streets.
According to John O'Kelly SC, prosecuting, O'Reilly was irritated and walking through the crowds "giving out and being abusive". Somebody said something about calling the gardaí and it was pointed out that Mr Murray was a trainee garda. O'Reilly punched him in the face.
Two men including Mr Leggett decided to stand in front of O'Reilly's Volkswagen Golf to stop it from leaving before the gardaí arrived, he said. O'Reilly started his car and "despite the fact two men were in front of the car, he moved forward and knocked down Mr Leggett", Mr O'Kelly said. He drove over him and towards the Newry Road; the incident was captured on the Garda CCTV system.
Insp Paul Kiernan said he saw Mr Leggett and another man "attempting to stop the car." On the CCTV system he also saw the Golf car "running over a man".
Asked by Derek Kenneally SC, defending, if it appeared the other man in front of the car had moved out of the way to provide a gap for O'Reilly to go through, Insp Kiernan said: "I don't think he had any choice. He stepped out of the way to avoid being hit."
Insp Kiernan said of Mr Leggett: "He was just acting as a good Samaritan."
The court also heard that the day after the incident, O'Reilly drove to an isolated location near Newry and took sleeping pills and alcohol. He then drove and crashed his car and was found by the PSNI.
Through his counsel, O'Reilly apologised to the Leggett family and to Garda Murray for assaulting him.
Veronica Leggett read out her victim impact statement to the court. She said her son had left home at 7.30pm that Saturday night "in great spirits" and was looking forward to a night out with his workmates and a holiday he was due to go on two days later.
The next time they saw him he was in the A&E department of the Lourdes hospital. He was transferred to Beaumont Hospital where "with all his family and friends, he passed away on the 14th September, 2005".
The court heard he was passionate about sport and physical fitness and was loved by his siblings. His younger brother David "adored him" and their "terrible loss has taken over our lives". She added: "We do not seek revenge, it is against our belief."
Judge Michael White adjourned sentencing to allow time to prepare a probation and welfare report. He remanded O'Reilly in custody to Dublin Circuit Criminal Court on October 15th.