A GARDA who was driving a car involved in a crash in which an elderly female pedestrian was fatally injured called a colleague on his mobile after the incident, an inquest heard yesterday.
Claire Barr (75) of The Paddock, Ashtown Gate, Dublin 7, was fatally injured in the incident on the Navan Road on September 21st, 2007, when she was struck by a black Volkswagen Golf while crossing the road.
The car was driven by Garda Brian O’Connor, of Blanchardstown Garda station, and it was travelling in the bus lane at the time.
Pedestrian at a nearby bus stop Madeline Thornton told an inquest at Dublin City Coroner’s Court yesterday she noticed Ms Barr in the middle of the road, with traffic around her and then a dark-coloured Volkswagen, “ . . . bombing along in the buslane”.
“I was only six to 10ft away when I saw the woman hit by the Volkswagen Golf, which had just gone past me. There was a horrible thud and her body flew up into the air,” said Ms Thornton.
Motorist Brendan Caffrey said Ms Barr, an aunt of footballer Keith Barr, appeared to step into the bus lane without looking to her left and “tried to make a dash”. “He seemed to be going fast . . . going up the gears . . . the car seemed to be moving very quick,” said Mr Caffrey, who added he would not be able to say if “the driver of the car was travelling fast”.
Off-duty firefighter with Dublin Fire Brigade Martin Healy came on the scene and found Ms Barr lifeless on the ground.
Garda Ciarán Mullaney, of Blanchardstown Garda station, told the inquest Garda O’Connor phoned him on his mobile. He and Garda Rebecca Doolin then proceeded to the scene, where Garda Doolin attended to Ms Barr and Garda Mullaney took witness details.
Garda Mullaney and Garda Doolin later brought Garda O’Connor to Cabra Garda station at the request of Sgt Damien Galligan, who was concerned for his wellbeing. There Garda O’Connor voluntarily provided a breath sample. The roadside alcohol-meter reading was zero.
The DPP directed no prosecutions in the case. Coroner Dr Brian Farrell adjourned the inquest until a date in November following a request from a barrister for the Barr family.