DPP turns down appeal to prosecute teenage driver

The DPP turned down a woman’s appeal to prosecute a teenage driver alleged to have been under the influence of cannabis when his car collided with and killed her “precious” daughter, a court was told yesterday.

Barrister Noel Cosgrove told Judge Gerard Griffin in the Circuit Civil Court that Cait Quinn (11), Luttrellstown Walk, Castleknock, was struck by a car driven by Ronan Byrne (then 19), Clonsilla, Dublin, and suffered catastrophic injuries.

He said Mr Byrne’s insurance company, without conceding liability, had offered €30,000 to cover some element of grief and loss and funeral expenses and he was recommending its acceptance.

Cait had been crossing the road at Diswellstown Road, Castleknock, Dublin, on August 25th, 2009, when struck by Mr Byrne’s Nissan Pulsar car, which he had been driving on a provisional licence.

Mr Cosgrove said Mr Byrne had been “driving on a provisional licence at excessive speed and while under the influence of cannabis”.

He said that while the DPP had reviewed his decision, he had affirmed his earlier resolution not to prosecute.

Judge Griffin said the finalisation of proceedings gave some sense of closure. He had no hesitation in approving the €30,000 offer, close on the maximum payable under the Civil Liability Act.