A car was travelling at 80 miles an hour when it ploughed into cyclists taking part in the North-South maracycle last weekend, the High Court in Belfast has been told.
Two Co Down men, Mr Michael McElroy (28), of Castlewellan, and Mr Mark Wilson (30), of Dundrum, were killed and seven others injured in the crash near Newry, said a Crown lawyer. He was opposing a bail application by Mr John McCann (20), of Lower Foughill Road, Jonesborough, Co Armagh, who is charged with causing the deaths of the two cyclists and seriously injuring two others by dangerous driving.
The Crown lawyer said the car was abandoned after the crash and Mr McCann was not arrested until three hours later. He denied being the driver and named a man he claimed to have been driving. The lawyer said forensic tests estimated the car was travelling at about 80 miles an hour.
A lawyer for Mr McCann said he claimed he was in the back of the car drinking when the accident happened. He added that Mr McCann's family had raised £20,000 which they were prepared to lodge in court.
Lord Justice Nicholson, refusing bail, said if it was proved Mr McCann was not the driver, a fresh application could be made.