Courts

Mother of one of three men killed in N7 crash sues Garda Commissioner and others

Brenda Taylor seeks damages for alleged personal injuries arising out of the death of her son, Graham Taylor

Brenda Taylor, mother of Graham Taylor, at Dublin District Coroner's Court for the inquests into the deaths of her son and the other two occupants of the car. Photograph: Colin Keegan, Collins Dublin
Brenda Taylor, mother of Graham Taylor, at Dublin District Coroner's Court for the inquests into the deaths of her son and the other two occupants of the car. Photograph: Colin Keegan, Collins Dublin
Ellen O'Riordan
Mon Dec 09 2024 - 20:55

The mother of one of three men who died in a head-on crash while travelling the wrong way down the N7 to evade gardaí has sued the Garda Commissioner and various other parties in the High Court.

Brenda Taylor is seeking damages for alleged personal injuries and distress arising out of the death of her son, Graham Taylor (31), who was a passenger in the BMW 3 Series being driven by Carl Freeman (26).

Dean Maguire was the third man in the vehicle, which burst into flames after crashing into an oncoming truck late on July 7th, 2021. An inquest into Mr Freeman’s death heard the occupants had to be identified using DNA samples taken from relatives.

Dean Maguire, Carl Freeman and Graham Taylor all died when the BMW car they were in burst into flames following a high-speed crash with a truck while they were fleeing from gardaí. Photographs: Facebook
Dean Maguire, Carl Freeman and Graham Taylor all died when the BMW car they were in burst into flames following a high-speed crash with a truck while they were fleeing from gardaí. Photographs: Facebook

The truck driver was left with serious, but not life-threatening injuries.

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The three deceased men, all with addresses in Tallaght, Dublin, had a litany of previous convictions.

On Monday barrister Fred Gilligan, for the Garda Commissioner and other State parties, said his clients could not file a defence to Ms Taylor’s proceedings for some time due to certain matters beyond their control.

However, there will be a full defence delivered in time.

Mr Justice Anthony Barr said he understood the reasons and adjourned a motion brought by Ms Taylor’s barrister, Brian Carroll, instructed by MacGuill & Company. He gave Mr Carroll permission to seek to re-enter his motion if needed.

Ms Taylor has sued the Garda Commissioner, the Minister for Justice, the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform, Ireland and the Attorney General.

Her case is also against a number of non-State parties, including a solicitor representing the estate of Mr Freeman and a woman alleged to be the owner of the BMW 3 Series.

She has also sued the Motor Insurance Bureau of Ireland, which is funded out of the insurance policies of every motorist to compensate victims of uninsured or untraced drivers.

Ellen O'Riordan

Ellen O'Riordan

Ellen O'Riordan is High Court Reporter with The Irish Times