Man released after questioning over fatal 2012 hit-and-run

Gardaí are to prepare a file for the DPP after they released without charge a 70 year-old man arrested for questioning about the death of a father-of-four in a hit and run incident in Co Kerry.

Detectives arrested the man at his home in Meelin in north Cork around 8am yesterday morning for questioning about the death of Paud O'Leary (42) from Gneeveguilla, Co Kerry on July 1st 2012.

Mr O'Leary was out for a training cycle for the Ring of Kerry Cycle on the morning in question when he was struck by a vehicle at Scrahanfadda, Gneeveguilla that failed to stop.

His body was later found by relatives and gardaí began an investigation to try and identify the hit-and-run driver who fatally injured Mr O’Leary but failed to stop or report the matter.

Last year, Shane Fitzgerald of Upper Knockeen, Knockduff, Meelin, Co Cork was extradited to Ireland from the UK, having spent time in Australia, to be charged in connection with Mr O'Leary's death.

Last March, Fitzgerald (23), who had denied any involvement in the incident, was convicted of dangerous driving causing the death of Mr O'Leary after a trial at Tralee Circuit Criminal Court.

Fitzgerald was sentenced to six-and-a-half years in jail for the offence by Judge Thomas O’Donnell who suspended the final 18 months of the sentence and he banned him from driving.

It’s understood that the man arrested in Meelin yesterday by gardaí was arrested for questioning about being an accessory to the fatal hit-and-run for which Fitzgerald was convicted and jailed.

The man was arrested under Section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act which allows gardaí detain suspects for up to 24 hours before they must be either charged or released without charge.

The man was brought to Bandon Garda Station where he was questioned before he was released without charge at around 10pm and a file will be prepared for the DPP, said a garda spokesman.