Jury in Niall Shannon trail begin deliberations

The jury in the trial of a man accused of dangerous driving causing the deaths of a Garda and a Fireman in Co. Limerick last year has retired to consider a verdict today.

Niall Shannon an apprentice carpenter from Ballylongford Co. Kerry has been on trial at the Circuit Court since October 1st in relation to the road traffic accident in February of last year in which Garda Brian Kelleher and fireman Michael Liston were killed.

In his closing address to the jury, prosecuting Senior Counsel, John O`Kelly said Niall Shannon had failed to react to what had gone wrong, had failed to take any action to avoid a collision and appears to have been speeding. Mr O`Kelly added it is known Niall Shannon had excessive alcohol in his system which may explain why he failed to stop and failed to slow down.

Senior Counsel for the Defence, Anthony Salmon accused the prosecution of playing down the fact the collision occurred on a dangerous bend. He described measures taken to warn oncoming traffic of the earlier collision as `shambolic` suggesting if proper measures had been taken `two good men wouldn`t have lost their lives`.

He added the fact that you are over the legal alcohol limit to drive doesn`t automatically mean you are drunk.
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Mr. Shannon has also pleaded not guilty to driving under the influence of alcohol.A charge of driving with two bald tyres was dropped.

The jury which consists of seven woman and five men retired to consider a verdict at 11.20am.