A soldier who worked part-time at a Co Cavan hotel died after being driven over twice in an incident outside the hotel. A man is to appear at Ardee District Court today charged in connection with the death of Private Hugh O'Brien.
Private O'Brien (39), who was a floor steward at the Carraig Springs Hotel in Crosskeys, near Cavan town, died following the incident shortly after midnight on Saturday, when he was run down twice by a car in the hotel grounds.
Earlier a man had been re moved from a disco in the hotel following an altercation. According to Det Insp Hugh Coll, after the person was ejected, a hotel window was smashed from outside. Consequently a number of the hotel's security staff and stewards went outside to supervise, and to ensure the person had left the hotel. They were in an alleyway between the disco and the hotel when a car drove through.
The vehicle drove up the alley at high speed and the stewards had to try and escape, Det Insp Coll said. Private O'Brien was hit by the car which ran over him in the alley.
The driver then went back up the alleyway, turned and drove over him again. He was removed to Cavan General Hospital where he was pronounced dead. The scene at the hotel was preserved for technical investigation and a post-mortem examination was expected to take place yesterday evening at Cavan General Hospital.
Private O'Brien, who was married with four daughters aged between two and 10, served as a driver with the 8th Battalion in Cavan. He joined the Defence Forces in 1979 and served in Lebanon during the winter of 1997/1998.
A Defence Forces spokesman said the Chief of Staff, through the unit commander, had passed on his condolences to Private O'Brien's wife, Caitriona, and family. A liaison officer has been appointed by the Army so the family can be offered every assistance.
Detectives arrested a 38-yearold man soon after the incident and he was held in Cavan Garda station for a time under Section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act.
A man will appear at Ardee District Court in Co Louth at 10 a.m. today, charged with endangerment, under section 13 of the Non-fatal Offences Against the Person Act. A file has been sent to the Director of Public Prosecutions.