A district Court judge yesterday dismissed a summons issued against Bus Eireann's chief mechanical engineer arising from a bus crash in Frenchpark, Co Roscommon.
Criticising the "lack of clarity" with which the State approached the case, Judge Mary Fahy said in her view the wrong person was accused of the offence. Ballaghaderreen District Court was told the bus had been on hire from a firm in England.
The driver of the 53-seater Scania, Mr Denis Lacken, recalled he had lost control for 30 metres prior to the accident last June. The Garda concluded it happened after the driver could not execute control due to a "dangerously deteriorated" ball-joint being attached to the steering wheel.
Mr Lacken told the court there were 44 passengers on the bus. After the crash 13 passengers were detained in hospital.
While the dismissal would aggrieve the injured, Judge Fahy said the State's case was not sustainable.