Judge urges legal teams to allow dangerous driving trial to proceed

A Judge has asked legal teams to “get their heads together” to allow a dangerous driving case to go ahead.

Judge John O'Hagan said all involved in the case, in which eight people died in a crash in Co Donegal in 2010, were anxious to have the case heard.

Shaun Kelly (23) of Hill Road, Ballymagan, Buncrana appeared at Letterkenny Circuit Court today charged with dangerous driving.

Mr Kelly’s barrister Peter Nolan said the Kelly family were anxious for the case to proceed.

He said he had requested information from the State on previous occasions but said this had not been completely forthcoming.

Counsel for the State, Ms Patricia McLaughlin, said all efforts are being made to get the case ready as soon as possible.

The court was told that the case will take between four and five days.

Judge O’Hagan addressed those affected by the case stating “All the pieces have to be put in place before the trial can proceed and hopefully as quickly as possible.”

The men who died in the crash on July 11th, 2010 were Eamon McDaid (22)of Ballymagan, Buncrana; Hugh Friel (66), Urris, Clonmany; Mark McLaughlin, (21) of Ballinahone, Fahan; Paul Doherty (19), of Ardagh, Ballyliffin; Ciaran Sweeney (19), of Ballyliffin; PJ McLaughlin (21), of Rockstown, Burnfoot; James McEleney (23), of Meenaduff, Clonmany and Damien McLaughlin (21), of Umricam, Buncrana.

The horrific crash happened at Meenaduff between Buncrana and Clonmany.