The driver of an articulated lorry used to carry pigs appeared at Listowel District Court yesterday in connection with the collapse of a bridge over a tidal river in Co Kerry.
David Patterson (48), of Screeby Road, Fivemiletown, Co Tyrone, was charged with driving in a dangerous manner at Ballinagar, Lixnaw, Co Kerry, on February 1st.
Insp Martin McCarthy told the court that the charge was a serious one. He said that it would take some time for technical evidence to be put together and he applied to Judge Mary O'Halloran for an adjournment of the case until April 24th.
The judge granted the application and remanded Mr Patterson on continuing bail.
The 30-metre metal bridge over the Brick tidal river near Lixnaw snapped in the middle last Thursday as it was being crossed by the lorry, which was transporting 250 pigs from local farms. The rear of the lorry became submerged in the water and some 50 of the pigs drowned, suffocated or were crushed.
A rescue operation was mounted involving gardaí, the Coast Guard, the fire service, the county council, Department of Agriculture inspectors, local contractors and representatives of the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. A 200-tonne crane was used to remove the lorry from the bridge. Most of the pigs survived.
Local TD Jimmy Deenihan criticised the failure to arrange for a more permanent bridge to be erected at the crossing.
The council said that the structure had been certified as sound, and a 12-tonne limit was in place.